Submitted by Jennie Strable 

Hello to All, 

It was a remarkably warm winter morning which brought out birders, but not that many birds, although we had a few nice surprises.  It was a great day to walk off all the Thanksgiving turkey though, so a fine time was had by all. 

BIRDERS:  Marian, Karin Gary, Chris, Steve, Jennie and welcome back to Paul, Cathy and Wes.    

TIME:   8:00 to 10:00am           

PLACES: Wooded Island, Bobolink Meadow and the Outer Harbor           

Many thanks to Paul for sharing his e-bird report for the Wooded Island/Bobolink Meadow area: 

Jackson Park, Chicago--Wooded Island/Bobolink Meadow area, Cook, Illinois, US

Nov 24, 2018 8:03 AM - 10:20 AM

Protocol: Traveling

2.44 mile(s)

Comments:    Cloudy becoming mostly cloudy; weather readings (Chicago/Northerly Island) at 08:00: 45F, winds SW 12 mph; readings at 10:30: 47F, winds SW 12 mph; forecast high 47F. Sunrise 06:50. Site includes data west of Lake Shore Dr. to Stony Island Ave. and north of Hayes Dr. to 56th St. Entire route on foot. [Routing: 08:03 Stony Island Ave. & 56th St. to North Lagoon, Wooded Island; 09:19 Soccer Field, Bobolink Meadow, Music Court, North Lagoon to 56th St. & Stony Island Ave. 10:20 end.]

26 species (+1 other taxa) 

Canada Goose (Branta canadensis)  379    +/-

Wood Duck (Aix sponsa)  1    male at North Lagoon

Bufflehead (Bucephala albeola)  1    fem./imm. at East Lagoon

Hooded Merganser (Lophodytes cucullatus)  10    5 males, 5 fem./imm.

Common Merganser (Mergus merganser)  2    fem./imm. at East Lagoon

Red-breasted Merganser (Mergus serrator)  59

Mourning Dove (Zenaida macroura)  1    northbound at North Lagoon

Ring-billed Gull (Larus delawarensis)  16

Larus sp. (Larus sp.)  1    fly-over

Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias)  1    at Japanese Garden

Cooper's Hawk (Accipiter cooperii)  2    at Wooded Island

Belted Kingfisher (Megaceryle alcyon)  1    male at East Lagoon

Red-bellied Woodpecker (Melanerpes carolinus)  1    near Darrow Bridge

Downy Woodpecker (Dryobates pubescens)  2

Northern Flicker (Yellow-shafted) (Colaptes auratus auratus/luteus)  2

American Crow (Corvus brachyrhynchos)  6

Black-capped Chickadee (Poecile atricapillus)  6

Brown Creeper (Certhia americana)  1    at Bobolink Meadow

Golden-crowned Kinglet (Regulus satrapa)  1    at Bobolink Meadow

American Robin (Turdus migratorius)  5    at Music Court

European Starling (Sturnus vulgaris)  363    +/-

American Goldfinch (Spinus tristis)  1    at Bobolink Meadow

Dark-eyed Junco (Slate-colored) (Junco hyemalis hyemalis/carolinensis)  4    near Darrow Bridge

Swamp Sparrow (Melospiza georgiana)  1    at North Lagoon

Common Yellowthroat (Geothlypis trichas)  1    imm. male at Bobolink Meadow near Driving Range fence and near bank of islet at SE corner of East Lagoon. Unmarked olive above (no wing-bars); bright yellow on throat grading to pale, dirty buff underparts (undertail area not seen); ill-defined blackish "mask". Seen in dense weedy area less than a meter above ground. Observed by at least three members of party.

Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis)  7    4 males, 2 females, 1 heard

House Sparrow (Passer domesticus)  1    heard near Museum of Science & Industry 

Outer Harbor (list by me, from memory, with no counts)

Red-breasted Merganser

Bufflehead

Scaup

Goldeneye

Ring-billed Gull

Herring Gull

Canada Goose

Possible Scoter – the dark color suggested a Scoter but it was sleeping and refused to lift its head up for us, even though we asked nicely, so we couldn’t make a definite ID.

And the surprise of the day – 2 Merlins, one perched in a tree next to the turnaround area, and another that flew to the tree across the driveway. 

This is a group report, with many birders contributing to the list. Most of the birds were seen by at least several or all of the birders. 

Corrections, additions and comments are welcome. 

Recordings are not used to attract birds. 

The Walks are free and open to one and all. They are held year round. Newcomers are warmly welcomed.  

Saturday morning walks: Start at 8:00 a.m. covers a distance of two miles.  Birders walk counterclockwise around the Columbia Basin (North Lagoon) onto Wooded Island. Exiting Wooded Island at the south end, the birders walk along the soccer field and enter the south end of Bobolink Meadow. The Meadow’s path leads to the Music Bridge and back to the East Parking Lot. In late fall, winter and early spring, the birders check for birds on the lakefront and Outer Harbor near LaRabida Hospital, and the Inner Harbor. 

Directions:  Exit Lake Shore Drive at Science Drive, which is the stoplight just south of the major 57th Drive intersection by the Museum of Science and Industry.  Turn Left (south) at the stop sign at the intersection of Science Drive and Columbia Drive. Go through the parking lot to the southwest end.  Metered parking is available and birders meet in the southwest corner of the east parking lot. 

Good birding everyone, 

Jennie

Submitted by Jennie Strable on Sat, 11/17/2018 - 11:29am

Event date:

Saturday, November 10, 2018 - 8:00am 

Location:

Hello to All,

The cold and windy weather guaranteed that our steps would be quickened on this morning’s circuit. The Hooded Mergansers and Ruddy Duck were great sightings. However, the Nashville Warbler was a record breaker for a late date!

Buffleheads and Scaup were in the Outer Harbor. Randy S. and Dan L. reported an American Black Duck in the Inner Harbor.

BIRDERS:      6.         (1) Gary M., (2) Jennie S., (3) Karin D., (4) Catherine G., (5) David P., and (6) Pat D.

TIME:             8:00 a.m. to 9:45 a.m.

PLACES:        Wooded Island, Lagoons, Soccer Field & Bobolink Meadow

DISTANCE:    2 Miles

WEATHER:    Sunny. Strong wind from the West 19 – 30 mph, Temperature 23 – 28 F. Wind Chill 15 F.

TOTAL SPECIES COUNT: 20

1. Canada Goose  35     flocks in flight.

2. Mallard  2     East Lagoon. A male & female pair.

3. Hooded Merganser  10     East Lagoon. 2 males and 8 females/juveniles.

4. Red-breasted Merganser  1     East Lagoon. Female. Swimming with group of Hooded Mergansers.

5. Ruddy Duck  1     East Lagoon. Non-breeding plumage. Swimming solo and occasionally close  to Hooded Merganser group.

6. Ring-billed Gull  5     Solitary fly overs

7. Great Blue Heron  4     The first was discovered in the Japanese Garden, stationary. (Photo above) looking on the thin ice covering a portion of the pond.  The second was perched over the water on the south end of Wooded Island. The third was on the southeast shore of Wooded Island. The fourth was a juvenile, standing on the concrete containment wall beneath the Music Bridge.  Its feet were in several inches of cold water.  The bird took over the position of a fisherman that had just packed up his gear and left.  Birds -> people watching?

8. Belted Kingfisher  1

9. Red-bellied Woodpecker  1     Heard in trees on the NE side of the North Bridge to Wooded Island.

10. Northern Flicker  1

11. American Crow  2

12. Black-capped Chickadee  4     Flying in the small trees near the pavilion in the Japanese Garden.

13. Hermit Thrush  2     In the low shrubs on the east side of the golf shack.

14. American Robin  26     A large flock was found on the edge of the West Lagoon, SW of the South Bridge to Wooded Island.  They were flying to the water from the low trees near the south parking lot.  Likely migrants, not locals.

15. European Starling  1     Atop Museum of Science & Industry. East side. Large flocks were seen on the grass of the golf course south of Hayes Drive.

16. American Goldfinch  1

17. Dark-eyed Junco  6     South entrance area of Museum of Science & Industry

18. Song Sparrow  3     Near the golf shack. Last seen foraging on the ground & plants at the east end of the boardwalk.

19. Nashville Warbler  1     I know this sighting will be flagged. A first year or female was seen by several birders just three steps away.  It was clinging to a prairie plant in a prairie area on the soccer field.  The bird looked hardy.  It had an eye ring, no wing bars, pale yellow chest and breast and coverts.  The head and nap of neck was gray.  We quickly checked our field guide. Yes. A late migrant Nashville Warbler.

According to "Birds of Jackson Park", a private publication, compiled by Paul R. Clyne,               February, 2010, the latest sighting recorded was on November 9, 1982. Today's sighting beats that record by one day!

This is a group report, with many birders contributing to the list. Most of the birds were seen by at least several or all of the birders.

Corrections, additions and comments are welcome.

Recordings are not used to attract birds.

This report will be documented on eBird as a group report for the Wooded Island Bird Walks.

The Walks are free and open to one and all. They are held year round. Newcomers are warmly welcomed. 

Darrow Bridge: Darrow Bridge has been barricaded by the Department of Transportation. A high black metal iron fence has been erected on all four sides. The fence will remain in place until Darrow Bridge is completely rebuilt, which could be several years away. The Bridge has been deemed unsafe.

Birders meet on the east side of Darrow Bridge.

Saturday morning walks: Start at 8:00 a.m. covers a distance of two miles.  Birders walk counterclockwise around the Columbia Basin (North Lagoon) onto Wooded Island. Exiting Wooded Island at the south end, the birders walk along the soccer field and enter the south end of Bobolink Meadow. The Meadow’s path leads to the Music Bridge and back to the East Parking Lot. In late fall, winter and early spring, the birders check for birds on the lakefront and Outer Harbor near LaRabida Hospital, and the Inner Harbor.

Metered parking is available in the East Parking Lot that is accessible from South Lake Shore Drive. There is a Stop Light at Science Drive. This Stop Light is approximately 200 yards south of the major intersection with signs for Museum of Science and Industry. Make a turn at the 57th Street and Science Drive Stop Light towards the Museum. Turn Left (south) at the intersection of Science Drive and Columbia Drive. Go through the parking lot to the west end.

Birders meet in the southwest corner of the East Parking Lot.

Parking and Lots: The East Parking Lot is preferred. There is also unmetered parking along Stony Island Avenue from 56th to 59th Street.

Best of Birding to All,                    

Patricia Durkin

Submitted by Jennie Strable on Wed, 10/31/2018 - 12:23pm

Event date:

Saturday, October 27, 2018 - 8:00am 

Location:

-

Hello to All,

The yellow metal swing gates to the Museum south parking lot were locked, as they were last week.  I gained access by car, from the road in front of the Museum and driving east and then south past the IMAX theater entrance.  I spoke with two Chicago Police officers who were patrolling the lot in a marked police car.  An officer gave me the telephone number to the Chicago Park District Security Department. (312) 747-2193. It would be good to have this number in your cell phone contacts.  I made a call. Spoke with John and explained the need to have the gate opened at least by 7 a.m., not only for birders, but for the dog owners who used the Jackson Bark area, and the boaters. John said that he would give the information to his supervisor.

On to birding – We had some late migrants and pleasant surprises.  Jennie S. spotted a group of Eastern Bluebirds across the East Lagoon, as we scanned from the Japanese Garden.  Randy S. identified a Blackpoll Warbler eating berries in a Wahoo shrub in the center of Wooded Island.  George G. spotted a small heron, on the east side of Heron Island.  The heron was shy and hid in the reeds, but would occasionally stand on the shore to reveal itself – a Green Heron!

BIRDERS:      11        (1) Rick R., (2) Bruce McC., (3) Randy S., (4) Jennie S., (5) Karin D., (6) Yvette C. Hyde Parker – new birder, (7) George G., (8) Cathy F., (9) Rachel P. (10) Catherine G., (11) Pat D. Brief visit from our birder dog Copper and his human guide Doug S. Copper loves birders, and shows no interest whatsoever in birds.

TIME:             8:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.

PLACES:        Wooded Island, Lagoons, Soccer Field & Bobolink Meadow

DISTANCE:    2 miles

WEATHER:    Mostly Sunny. Temperature 51 – 54 F., Humidity 80%, Wind NW 5 – 18 mph

TOTAL SPECIES COUNT:  33 (+3 other taxa)

1. Canada Goose  180

2. Mallard 1

3. Chimney Swift  7     Stubby tail, sickle shaped wings, dark brown/black overall.

4. Ring-billed Gull  2

5. Larus sp.  6

6. Double-crested Cormorant  4

7. Great Blue Heron  4

8. Green Heron  1

9. Cooper's Hawk  2

10. Buteo sp.  1

11. Belted Kingfisher  1

12. Red-bellied Woodpecker  1

13. Downy Woodpecker  2

14. Northern Flicker  3

15. American Crow  6

16. Black-capped Chickadee  5

17. White-breasted Nuthatch  2

18. Winter Wren  1

19. Golden-crowned Kinglet  7

20. Ruby-crowned Kinglet  2

21. Eastern Bluebird  5

22. Hermit Thrush  5

23. American Robin  45

24. European Starling  640

25. House Finch  2

26. American Goldfinch  7

27. Dark-eyed Junco  3

28. White-crowned Sparrow  2

29. White-throated Sparrow  15

30. Song Sparrow  1

31. Swamp Sparrow  1

32. blackbird sp.  1

33. Blackpoll Warbler  1     Yellowish throat with distinct dark streaks on each side extending and spreading on the sides of the breast, white belly, olive back with dark streaks, olive top of head with faint dark streaks, black beak, dark line through eye splitting eye-ring, two white wing-bars. Did not get view of legs and feet.  It was eating European Spindle berries (I saw it swallowing one) along with several White-throated Sparrows, A. Robins and Hermit Thrushes.

34. Yellow-rumped Warbler  1

35. Northern Cardinal  3

36. House Sparrow  1

This is a group report, with many birders contributing to the list. Most of the birds were seen by at least several or all of the birders.

Corrections, additions and comments are welcome.

Recordings are not used to attract birds.

This report will be documented on eBird as a group report for the Wooded Island Bird Walks.

The Walks are free and open to one and all. They are held year round. Newcomers are warmly welcomed. 

Darrow Bridge: Darrow Bridge has been barricaded by the Department of Transportation. A high black metal iron fence has been erected on all four sides. The fence will remain in place until Darrow Bridge is completely rebuilt, which could be several years away. The Bridge has been deemed unsafe.

Birders meet on the east side of Darrow Bridge.

Saturday morning walks: Start at 8:00 a.m. covers a distance of two miles.  Birders walk counterclockwise around the Columbia Basin (North Lagoon) onto Wooded Island. Exiting Wooded Island at the south end, the birders walk along the soccer field and enter the south end of Bobolink Meadow. The Meadow’s path leads to the Music Bridge and back to the East Parking Lot. In late fall, winter and early spring, the birders check for birds on the lakefront and Outer Harbor near LaRabida Hospital, and the Inner Harbor.

Metered parking is available in the East Parking Lot that is accessible from South Lake Shore Drive. There is a Stop Light at Science Drive. This Stop Light is approximately 200 yards south of the major intersection with signs for Museum of Science and Industry. Make a turn at the 57th Street and Science Drive Stop Light towards the Museum. Turn Left (south) at the intersection of Science Drive and Columbia Drive. Go through the parking lot to the west end.

Birders meet in the southwest corner of the East Parking Lot.

Parking and Lots: The East Parking Lot is preferred. There is also unmetered parking along Stony Island Avenue from 56th to 59th Street.

Best of Birding to All,                    

Patricia Durkin

Chicago Audubon Society Representative

Submitted by Jennie Strable on Sun, 10/21/2018 - 2:51pm

Event date:

Saturday, October 20, 2018 - 8:00am 

Location:

-

Hello to All,

The gate to the parking lot was closed. Randy & I gained access by coming along the road in front of the Museum.  Gary & Steve parked near the golf shack and walked through Bobolink Meadow. The group came together on the walk around the North Lagoon.

Randy was our complier. With his keen hearing and concentration, our species count notched up.

We found four Wooly Bears.  As winter forecasters, their black and orange pattern predicts a mild winter.

BIRDERS:      8          (1) Randy S., (2) Gary M., (3) Steve B., (4) Karin D., (5) Jennie S., (6) David P., (7) Catherine G., (8) Pat D.

TIME:             8:00 a.m. to 10:45 a.m.         

PLACES:        Wooded Island, Lagoons, Soccer Field & Bobolink Meadow

DISTANCE:    2 miles

WEATHER:    Sunny. Temperature 37 – 45. Wind WNW 11 – 41 mph

TOTAL SPECIES COUNT: 35

1. Canada Goose  55

2. 2.     Bufflehead  2. A male & female were together in the East Lagoon. First sighting of fall migration.

3. Double-crested Cormorant  1

4. Great Blue Heron  2

5. Cooper's Hawk  2

6. Belted Kingfisher  2

7. Red-bellied Woodpecker  1

8. Downy Woodpecker  1

9. Northern Flicker  2

10. American Crow  3

11. Black-capped Chickadee  4

12. Red-breasted Nuthatch  3

13. White-breasted Nuthatch  1

14. Brown Creeper  1

15. House Wren  2

16. Winter Wren  4

17. Golden-crowned Kinglet  19

18. Ruby-crowned Kinglet  5

19. Hermit Thrush  6

20. American Robin  60

21. Gray Catbird  1     Clearly heard cat like call.  The average fall departure date in Jackson Park, according to Paul Clyne's checklist, is 22 October.

22. European Starling  20

23. American Goldfinch  6

24. Fox Sparrow  2

25. Dark-eyed Junco  40

26. White-crowned Sparrow  5

27. White-throated Sparrow  50

28. Song Sparrow  7

29. Lincoln's Sparrow  1

30. Swamp Sparrow  2

31. Eastern Towhee  2

32. Yellow-rumped Warbler  13

33. Northern Cardinal  3

34. House Sparrow  1

35. Eastern Bluebird – Seen by Gary M. & Steve B. near the golf shack.

This is a group report, with many birders contributing to the list. Most of the birds were seen by at least several or all of the birders.

Corrections, additions and comments are welcome.

Recordings are not used to attract birds.

This report will be documented on eBird as a group report for the Wooded Island Bird Walks.

The Walks are free and open to one and all. They are held year round. Newcomers are warmly welcomed. 

Darrow Bridge: Darrow Bridge has been barricaded by the Department of Transportation. A high black metal iron fence has been erected on all four sides. The fence will remain in place until Darrow Bridge is completely rebuilt, which could be several years away. The Bridge has been deemed unsafe.

Birders meet on the east side of Darrow Bridge.

Saturday morning walks: Start at 8:00 a.m. covers a distance of two miles.  Birders walk counterclockwise around the Columbia Basin (North Lagoon) onto Wooded Island. Exiting Wooded Island at the south end, the birders walk along the soccer field and enter the south end of Bobolink Meadow. The Meadow’s path leads to the Music Bridge and back to the East Parking Lot. In late fall, winter and early spring, the birders check for birds on the lakefront and Outer Harbor near LaRabida Hospital, and the Inner Harbor.

Metered parking is available in the East Parking Lot that is accessible from South Lake Shore Drive. There is a Stop Light at Science Drive. This Stop Light is approximately 200 yards south of the major intersection with signs for Museum of Science and Industry. Make a turn at the 57th Street and Science Drive Stop Light towards the Museum. Turn Left (south) at the intersection of Science Drive and Columbia Drive. Go through the parking lot to the west end.

Birders meet in the southwest corner of the East Parking Lot.

Parking and Lots: The East Parking Lot is preferred. There is also unmetered parking along Stony Island Avenue from 56th to 59th Street.

Best of Birding to All,                    

Patricia Durkin

Chicago Audubon Society Representative

Submitted by Jennie Strable on Sun, 10/21/2018 - 2:49pm

Event date:

Saturday, October 13, 2018 - 8:00am 

Location:

-

Hello to All,

It was a pleasant Walk this morning, if you remembered to wear layered clothing, which is something all birders quickly learn to do.

We saw a 16 inch Garden Snake on the path in Bobolink Meadow. A child discovered it moving slowly.  Its tongue is red. Erin picked it up very gently and moved it to the grassy area next to the path. 

A late Monarch Butterfly was in the Meadow. We felt sorry that it was late in migration and wished it well on its journey.

It has been put to song that “1 is the loneliest of numbers.” But we felt sorry too for Prime Numbers who can only dance with Number One.  Strange that our counts were right on Prime, or its partner 1.  

BIRDERS:      10        (1) Gary M., (2) Bruce McC., (3) Marian N., (4) Steve B., (5) Jennie S., (6) Erin C., (7) Catherine G., (8) David P., (9) Karin D., and (10) Pat D.

TIME:             8:00 a.m. to 10:45 a.m.         

PLACE:          Wooded Island, Lagoons, Soccer Field (too peoplely) and Bobolink Meadow.           

DISTANCE:    2 Miles

WEATHER:    Sunny. Chilly start. Temperature 38 – 47 F. Winds WSW 7 – 22 mph. Humidity 93%.

TOTAL SPECIES COUNT:   32 (+1 other taxa)

1. Canada Goose  127

2. Wood Duck  5

3. Mallard  2

4. Mallard (Domestic type)  1     Mankey hybrid remains in North Lagoon with a small group of Mallards

5. Chimney Swift  31

6. Ring-billed Gull  2

7. Double-crested Cormorant  3

8. Great Blue Heron  3

9. Cooper's Hawk  1     Perched high, facing the rising sun, at the start of the Walk.  After Gary M. took a great photo, the raptor flew SE.

10. Belted Kingfisher  2

11. Yellow-bellied Sapsucker  2

12. Downy Woodpecker  1

13. Eastern Phoebe  1

14. Blue Jay  1

15. American Crow  13

16. Black-capped Chickadee  2

17. Red-breasted Nuthatch  2     We had great views as this darling ate a meal on a branch close by. South shore of Soccer Field, between the South Bridge and the golf shack.

18. Brown Creeper  1

19. Golden-crowned Kinglet  2

20. Veery  1     Small thrush. Seen in the open. Very pink legs. Very faint upper chest spotting.  We checked our field guides while looking at the bird, and concluded this secretive thrush was surely a Veery.  Rachel Carson's favorite bird. She loved the flute like sound, like a marble rolling inside a tube. She would walk the perimeter of the woods in Maine at evening time to hear their song. Rare on eBird report.

21. Swainson's Thrush  1

22. American Robin  19

23. Gray Catbird  2

24. European Starling  29

25. American Goldfinch  37

26. Dark-eyed Junco  1

27. White-crowned Sparrow  2

28. White-throated Sparrow  11

29. Song Sparrow  1

30. American Redstart  2     A pair together in the center of Wooded Island.

31. Palm Warbler  13

32. Yellow-rumped Warbler  11

33. Northern Cardinal  1

This is a group report, with many birders contributing to the list. Most of the birds were seen by at least several or all of the birders.

Corrections, additions and comments are welcome.

Recordings are not used to attract birds.

This report will be documented on eBird as a group report for the Wooded Island Bird Walks.

The Walks are free and open to one and all. They are held year round. Newcomers are warmly welcomed. 

Darrow Bridge: Darrow Bridge has been barricaded by the Department of Transportation. A high black metal iron fence has been erected on all four sides. The fence will remain in place until Darrow Bridge is completely rebuilt, which could be several years away. The Bridge has been deemed unsafe.

Birders meet on the east side of Darrow Bridge.

Saturday morning walks: Start at 8:00 a.m. covers a distance of two miles.  Birders walk counterclockwise around the Columbia Basin (North Lagoon) onto Wooded Island. Exiting Wooded Island at the south end, the birders walk along the soccer field and enter the south end of Bobolink Meadow. The Meadow’s path leads to the Music Bridge and back to the East Parking Lot. In late fall, winter and early spring, the birders check for birds on the lakefront and Outer Harbor near LaRabida Hospital, and the Inner Harbor.

Metered parking is available in the East Parking Lot that is accessible from South Lake Shore Drive. There is a Stop Light at Science Drive. This Stop Light is approximately 200 yards south of the major intersection with signs for Museum of Science and Industry. Make a turn at the 57th Street and Science Drive Stop Light towards the Museum. Turn Left (south) at the intersection of Science Drive and Columbia Drive. Go through the parking lot to the west end.

Birders meet in the southwest corner of the East Parking Lot.

Parking and Lots: The East Parking Lot is preferred. There is also unmetered parking along Stony Island Avenue from 56th to 59th Street.

Best of Birding to All,                    

Patricia Durkin

Chicago Audubon Society Representative

Submitted by Jennie Strable on Thu, 10/04/2018 - 12:58pm

Event date:

Saturday, September 29, 2018 - 8:00am 

Location:

-

Karin Cassel

July 11, 1929 – September 26, 2018

How do you wash a mark from your garment?

A mark made over time; and time again,

With an indelible substance.

When did that mark first appear?

Over what span of time did it grow?

How did it in up over your heart?

How did it bleed through upon yourself?

The mark will remain; you know well.

It will remain on your garment; on yourself.

The rinse will take place in the natural world

Hours and hours in the natural world

“Among the wild things” she so dearly loved

Alone, and in the company of those she loved and would have loved

You will never toss this garment away

You will carry the mark upon you all of your days.

Others will see and you will try to explain

But it will never wash away.

Patricia Durkin.

BIRDERS:      9          (1) Marian N., (2) David P., (3) Catherine G., (4) Jennie S., (5) Eric G., (6) Bruce Mc., (7) Karin D., (8) Renata G., (9) Pat D., with cameo appearances by Doug S. and our beloved bird dog Copper.

TIME:             8:00 a.m. to 11:15 a.m.         

PLACES:        Wooded Islands, the Lagoons, Soccer Field and Bobolink Meadow.

DISTANCE:    2 miles

WEATHER:    Sunny. Temperature 48 – 54 F., Wind East 4 – 10 mph.

TOTAL SPECIES COUNT:  29 (+1 other taxa)

1. Canada Goose  20

2. Wood Duck  23     A whole flock of 23 were found eating acorns off the ground in the oak grove east of the Purple Martin Houses.  Then the flock dispersed to the sky and the water.  Amazing gathering!

3. Mallard  8

4. Mallard (Domestic type)  1     The Mankey Mallard was in the North Lagoon in the company of a couple of Mallards

5. Chimney Swift  31

6. Ring-billed Gull  4

7. Great Blue Heron  3

8. Black-crowned Night-Heron  1     Juvenile

9. Cooper's Hawk  1     Eating its fresh prey on a tree along the Soccer Field shoreline.  Slate gray back. Orange speckled chest.  Too busy to give us any heed.

10. Belted Kingfisher  2     They put on quite an aerial display of chasing one another over our heads as we stood on the North Bridge.  The Blue Angels jets could not mirror the close pursuit. Amazing show!!

11. Yellow-bellied Sapsucker  7

12. Downy Woodpecker  3

13. Northern Flicker  3

14. Eastern Phoebe  1

15. American Crow  1

16. Black-capped Chickadee  6

17. Red-breasted Nuthatch  1     There appears to be a migration of this beautiful bird, with its tin horn toots, in northern Illinois. The Chicago lakefront birders have reported numerous sightings this past week.  Coming home in the South Loop at dusk, there was one waiting for me by my garage door.  It took off before I could get a phone.  Fair winds to all.

18. Brown Creeper  1

19. Ruby-crowned Kinglet  1     Spotted by Eric G.

20. Gray Catbird  1

21. European Starling  2

22. American Goldfinch  6     North end of Bobolink Meadow.

23. White-throated Sparrow  7

24. Black-and-white Warbler  1

25. American Redstart  2

26. Magnolia Warbler  1

27. Palm Warbler  12

28. Yellow-rumped Warbler  23

29. Northern Cardinal  5

30. House Sparrow  2

This is a group report, with many birders contributing to the list. Most of the birds were seen by at least several or all of the birders.

Corrections, additions and comments are welcome.

Recordings are not used to attract birds.

This report will be documented on eBird as a group report for the Wooded Island Bird Walks.

The Walks are free and open to one and all. They are held year round. Newcomers are warmly welcomed. 

Darrow Bridge: Darrow Bridge has been barricaded by the Department of Transportation. A high black metal iron fence has been erected on all four sides. The fence will remain in place until Darrow Bridge is completely rebuilt, which could be several years away. The Bridge has been deemed unsafe.

Birders meet on the east side of Darrow Bridge.

Saturday morning walks: Start at 8:00 a.m. covers a distance of two miles.  Birders walk counterclockwise around the Columbia Basin (North Lagoon) onto Wooded Island. Exiting Wooded Island at the south end, the birders walk along the soccer field and enter the south end of Bobolink Meadow. The Meadow’s path leads to the Music Bridge and back to the East Parking Lot. In late fall, winter and early spring, the birders check for birds on the lakefront and Outer Harbor near LaRabida Hospital, and the Inner Harbor.

Metered parking is available in the East Parking Lot that is accessible from South Lake Shore Drive. There is a Stop Light at Science Drive. This Stop Light is approximately 200 yards south of the major intersection with signs for Museum of Science and Industry. Make a turn at the 57th Street and Science Drive Stop Light towards the Museum. Turn Left (south) at the intersection of Science Drive and Columbia Drive. Go through the parking lot to the west end.

Birders meet in the southwest corner of the East Parking Lot.

Parking and Lots: The East Parking Lot is preferred. There is also unmetered parking along Stony Island Avenue from 56th to 59th Street.

Best of Birding to All,                    

Patricia Durkin

Submitted by Jennie Strable on Thu, 10/04/2018 - 12:56pm

Event date:

Saturday, September 22, 2018 - 8:00am 

Location:

-

Hello to All,

The seasons are changing. Although this is migration season, there were a paltry number of birds to be seen or heard on our slow walk. All was quiet.  Although the wind was strong, there were plenty of bugs in the air.

Can’t blame it on the solo American Kestrel, who was busy priming its flight feathers, before flying off in a southerly direction.

The two Great Egrets were kind enough to fly in from the west and stay the morning around the East Lagoon.

Sometimes, it just turns out to be a quiet walk outdoors, and that is satisfying in itself.

BIRDERS:      4.         (1) Jack M. – a new birder, U of C graduate student, (2) Jennie S., (3) Karin D., and (4) Pat D.

TIME:             8:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.         

PLACES:        Wooded Island, Lagoons, Soccer Field & Bobolink Meadow

DISTANCE:    2 miles

WEATHER:    Sunny. Temperature 59 to 64 F., Wind NE 2 – 15 mph. Lake water choppy.

TOTAL SPECIES COUNT:   18 (+1 other taxa)

1. Canada Goose  81

2. Wood Duck  12     All in East Lagoon.

3. Mallard  6

4. Mallard (Domestic type)  1     Same Mankey Mallard in the North Lagoon with wild Mallards

5. Chimney Swift  12     Reported by Karin D.

6. Ring-billed Gull  2

7. Great Blue Heron  1

8. Great Egret  2     While walking across the North Bridge to Wooded Island, two Great Egrets flew low, from West to East, and landed in the East Lagoon, where they remained, changing locations, during our Walk. I wonder if they had roosted overnight in Washington Park.

9. Black-crowned Night-Heron  1     Flying low over the shoreline of the Japanese Garden.

10. Belted Kingfisher  1     Mostly in and around the East Lagoon.

11. Downy Woodpecker  1     South end of Wooded Island.

12. American Kestrel  1     Perched high on the willow tree at the north end of Bobolink Meadow. Eventually flew south.

13. American Crow  1

14. Black-capped Chickadee  1

15. American Goldfinch  12

16. White-throated Sparrow  9     First fall sighting. Reported by Jennie S.

17. American Redstart  1

18. Northern Cardinal  2

19. Indigo Bunting  1     Center of Wooded Island, where adult was often seen during the summer.

This is a group report, with many birders contributing to the list. Most of the birds were seen by at least several or all of the birders.

Corrections, additions and comments are welcome.

Recordings are not used to attract birds.

This report will be documented on eBird as a group report for the Wooded Island Bird Walks.

The Walks are free and open to one and all. They are held year round. Newcomers are warmly welcomed. 

Darrow Bridge: Darrow Bridge has been barricaded by the Department of Transportation. A high black metal iron fence has been erected on all four sides. The fence will remain in place until Darrow Bridge is completely rebuilt, which could be several years away. The Bridge has been deemed unsafe.

Birders meet on the east side of Darrow Bridge.

Saturday morning walks: Start at 8:00 a.m. covers a distance of two miles.  Birders walk counterclockwise around the Columbia Basin (North Lagoon) onto Wooded Island. Exiting Wooded Island at the south end, the birders walk along the soccer field and enter the south end of Bobolink Meadow. The Meadow’s path leads to the Music Bridge and back to the East Parking Lot. In late fall, winter and early spring, the birders check for birds on the lakefront and Outer Harbor near LaRabida Hospital, and the Inner Harbor.

Metered parking is available in the East Parking Lot that is accessible from South Lake Shore Drive. There is a Stop Light at Science Drive. This Stop Light is approximately 200 yards south of the major intersection with signs for Museum of Science and Industry. Make a turn at the 57th Street and Science Drive Stop Light towards the Museum. Turn Left (south) at the intersection of Science Drive and Columbia Drive. Go through the parking lot to the west end.

Birders meet in the southwest corner of the East Parking Lot.

Parking and Lots: The East Parking Lot is preferred. There is also unmetered parking along Stony Island Avenue from 56th to 59th Street.

Best of Birding to All,                    

Patricia Durkin

Chicago Audubon Society Representative

Submitted by Jennie Strable on Mon, 08/13/2018 - 8:04pm

Event date:

Saturday, August 11, 2018 - 8:00am 

Location:

-

Hello to All,

The bird of the day was a discovery by Jennie S. of a solitary Black-billed Cuckoo. The bird was perched in a small tree along the east side of the foot path that runs down the center of Wooded Island.  Steve B. was able to see the bird well too. Marian and I finally caught sight of the cuckoo when it flew off, but not a good enough look to count it on our own list.  Marian and I were talking rather than bird watching, which contributed to our miss. 

BIRDERS:      7.         (1) Gary M., (2) Marian N., (3) Jennie S., (4) Steve B., (5) Eric G, (6) Tobias G, and (7) Pat D.

TIME:             8:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.         

PLACES:        Wooded Island, Lagoons & Bobolink Meadow

DISTANCE:    2 miles

WEATHER:    Sunny. Temperature 78 – 82 F. Wind NW 5 -9 mph

TOTAL SPECIES COUNT:   35 (+2 other taxa)

1. Canada Goose  26

2. Wood Duck  11

3. Mallard  4

4. Mallard (Domestic type)  1     Swimming with Mallards. White on chest and face. Large bill.

5. Double-crested Cormorant  2

6. Great Blue Heron  3

7. Green Heron  3     1 in Japanese Garden. 2 near Turtle Island.

8. Black-crowned Night-Heron  1     Japanese Garden

9. Cooper's Hawk  2     Near 57th and Stony Island per Eric G.

10. Ring-billed Gull  4

11. Caspian Tern  1

12. Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon)  1

13. Black-billed Cuckoo  1     Quietly perched near the interior of a small tree, located in the center of Wooded Island. Flew off.

14. Chimney Swift  17     Numbers increased over East Lagoon towards the end of our walk.

15. Downy Woodpecker  3

16. Eastern Phoebe  1

17. Eastern Kingbird  9

18. flycatcher sp. (Tyrannidae sp.)  1

19. American Crow  1

20. Purple Martin  4

21. Barn Swallow  21

22. Cliff Swallow  2

23. Black-capped Chickadee  5

24. Blue-gray Gnatcatcher  6

25. American Robin  13

26. Gray Catbird  2

27. European Starling  33

28. Cedar Waxwing  2

29. Common Yellowthroat  2     South end of Bobolink Meadow. Heard by Eric G.

30. Yellow Warbler  1

31. Song Sparrow  3

32. Northern Cardinal  4

33. Indigo Bunting  4     Heard along Soccer Field shore.

34. Baltimore Oriole  3

35. Red-winged Blackbird  1

36. American Goldfinch  6

37. House Sparrow  5 

This is a group report, with many birders contributing to the list. Most of the birds were seen by at least several or all of the birders.

Corrections, additions and comments are welcome.

Recordings are not used to attract birds.

This report will be documented on eBird as a group report for the Wooded Island Bird Walks.

The Walks are free and open to one and all. They are held year round. Newcomers are warmly welcomed. 

Darrow Bridge: Darrow Bridge has been barricaded by the Department of Transportation. A high black metal iron fence has been erected on all four sides. The fence will remain in place until Darrow Bridge is completely rebuilt, which could be several years away. The Bridge has been deemed unsafe.

Birders meet on the east side of Darrow Bridge.

Saturday morning walks: Start at 8:00 a.m. covers a distance of two miles.  Birders walk counterclockwise around the Columbia Basin (North Lagoon) onto Wooded Island. Exiting Wooded Island at the south end, the birders walk along the soccer field and enter the south end of Bobolink Meadow. The Meadow’s path leads to the Music Bridge and back to the East Parking Lot. In late fall, winter and early spring, the birders check for birds on the lakefront and Outer Harbor near LaRabida Hospital, and the Inner Harbor.

Metered parking is available in the East Parking Lot that is accessible from South Lake Shore Drive. There is a Stop Light at Science Drive. This Stop Light is approximately 200 yards south of the major intersection with signs for Museum of Science and Industry. Make a turn at the 57th Street and Science Drive Stop Light towards the Museum. Turn Left (south) at the intersection of Science Drive and Columbia Drive. Go through the parking lot to the west end.

Birders meet in the southwest corner of the East Parking Lot.

Parking and Lots: The East Parking Lot is preferred. There is also unmetered parking along Stony Island Avenue from 56th to 59th Street.

Best of Birding to All,                    

Patricia Durkin

Chicago Audubon Society Representative

Submitted by Jennie Strable on Fri, 08/31/2018 - 10:33am

Event date:

Saturday, August 25, 2018 - 8:00am 

Location:

-

Hello to All,

Just a few of the Wooded Island Regulars showed up for the Walk.  The place was rather quiet bird wise.  There were a high number of Ruby-throated Hummingbirds perhaps in migration. Likewise, the two Belted Kingfishers seemed to be passing through, although in silence. The single warbler seen was a Northern Waterthrush. Eastern Kingbirds were near Turtle Island.  The adults stay nearby, atop the willow tree.

BIRDERS:      4.         (1) Jennie S., (2) Eric G., (3) Karin D. and (4) Pat D.          

TIME:             8:00 a.m. to 10:45 a.m.         

PLACES:        Wooded Island, Lagoons & Bobolink Meadow

DISTANCE:    2 miles

WEATHER:    Cloudy. Humid. Temperature 69 – 85 F. Wind SW 13 – 23 mph

TOTAL SPECIES COUNT:   23 + 3 other taxa

1. Canada Goose  17     Two flocks in flight.

2. Wood Duck  4     Around Turtle Island.

3. Mallard  15     A second brood of 4 ducklings in the North Lagoon.

4. Mallard (Domestic type)  1 In North Lagoon.

5. Chimney Swift  17

6. Ruby-throated Hummingbird  8

7. Great Blue Heron  3

8. Green Heron  1

9. Black-crowned Night-Heron  1     Adult standing in waterfall in the Japanese Garden.  Weekly sighting in same location.

10. hawk sp.  1 An accipiter.

11. Belted Kingfisher  2

12. Downy Woodpecker  1

13. falcon sp.  1 Possible Merlin

14. Eastern Kingbird  5

15. Warbling Vireo  2     Seen in center of Wooded Island along footpath.

16. American Crow  3

17. Barn Swallow  12

18. House Wren  2

19. Blue-gray Gnatcatcher  1

20. American Robin  1

21. Gray Catbird  2

22. American Goldfinch  2

23. Song Sparrow  3

24. Northern Waterthrush  1     At eye level, perched on a brush a few feet away.  Seen by two birders. Confirmed by call. Located in the central section of Wooded Island along the west side of the footpath.

25. Northern Cardinal  5

26. Indigo Bunting  2

This is a group report, with many birders contributing to the list. Most of the birds were seen by at least several or all of the birders.

Corrections, additions and comments are welcome.

Recordings are not used to attract birds.

This report will be documented on eBird as a group report for the Wooded Island Bird Walks.

The Walks are free and open to one and all. They are held year round. Newcomers are warmly welcomed. 

Darrow Bridge: Darrow Bridge has been barricaded by the Department of Transportation. A high black metal iron fence has been erected on all four sides. The fence will remain in place until Darrow Bridge is completely rebuilt, which could be several years away. The Bridge has been deemed unsafe.

Birders meet on the east side of Darrow Bridge.

Saturday morning walks: Start at 8:00 a.m. covers a distance of two miles.  Birders walk counterclockwise around the Columbia Basin (North Lagoon) onto Wooded Island. Exiting Wooded Island at the south end, the birders walk along the soccer field and enter the south end of Bobolink Meadow. The Meadow’s path leads to the Music Bridge and back to the East Parking Lot. In late fall, winter and early spring, the birders check for birds on the lakefront and Outer Harbor near LaRabida Hospital, and the Inner Harbor.

Metered parking is available in the East Parking Lot that is accessible from South Lake Shore Drive. There is a Stop Light at Science Drive. This Stop Light is approximately 200 yards south of the major intersection with signs for Museum of Science and Industry. Make a turn at the 57th Street and Science Drive Stop Light towards the Museum. Turn Left (south) at the intersection of Science Drive and Columbia Drive. Go through the parking lot to the west end.

Birders meet in the southwest corner of the East Parking Lot.

Parking and Lots: The East Parking Lot is preferred. There is also unmetered parking along Stony Island Avenue from 56th to 59th Street.

Best of Birding to All,                    

Patricia Durkin

Chicago Audubon Society Representative

Submitted by Jennie Strable on Sun, 08/26/2018 - 2:45pm

Event date:

Saturday, August 18, 2018 - 8:00am 

Location:

-

After a comparison and discussion of Tilley hats and proper sizing, the Walk proceeded along the counterclockwise route – North Basin, Wooded Island, Soccer Field and Bobolink Meadow.

The gurgling musical sound of our summer residents, the Purple Martins, was absent. Wait until next spring, we tell ourselves.  They shall return, if humans provide housekeeping service.  The White Houses that was home to the delightful summer companions are now empty.  We will see some migrants from the north soon, but they will not be our local charmers.

Otherwise, there were no surprises or rare sightings on our Walk.  Wooded Island was quiet.  We are waiting for the fall migration to begin.

The lagoons were devoid of geese and ducks.  The majestic Great Egret perked up our spirits. The trio of heron species was around too.  I love how the adult Black-crowned Night Heron has made the Japanese Garden its home. Such poise and self-confidence is on display.  It waits patiently for our departure, so it can once again reign is splendid silence.

BIRDERS:      9.         (1) Gary M. soon to travel to South Africa. (2) Karin D. just returned from South Africa. (3) Chris R. from MSI, (4) Bruce McC. Recently back from the Rockies. (5) Jennie S., (6) Kim S, (7) Beverly B. – journalist student at Northwestern who interviewed Jennie on the changing environment in Jackson Park and the impact on wildlife. (8) Marian N. and (9) Pat D.

TIME:             8:00 a.m. to 10:40 a.m.         

PLACES:        Wooded Island, Bobolink Meadow and Lagoons

DISTANCE:    2 miles

WEATHER:    Partly cloudy. Muggy. Temperature 77 – 84 F. Wind NNW 7 – 19 mph.

TOTAL SPECIES COUNT:   27

1. Wood Duck  5     SE area of East Lagoon.

2. Chimney Swift  24

3. Ring-billed Gull  1

4. Great Blue Heron  1

5. Great Egret  1     Perched on west side of Music Bridge.  A solo traveler.  Stayed all morning.

6. Green Heron  2     Near Turtle Island.

7. Black-crowned Night-Heron  3     An adult favored repose in the Japanese Garden. The waterfall is its footbath.  Very clever heron. Knows all the hidden branches to perch, even in the pine tree to the right inside the Garden entrance.

8. Cooper's Hawk  1     Made a brief appearance on Wooded Island. They are great masters at using tree branches and leaves to camouflage their position.  You can walk beneath a Cooper's and they will maintain their hiding place.

9. Downy Woodpecker  1

10. Eastern Kingbird  6

11. Warbling Vireo  2     One was seen on a branch along Soccer Field shore.

12. American Crow  2

13. Purple Martin  2     Reported by one participant. Houses are abandoned. Local population in migration. Will  miss their sound until the scouts return next spring.

14. Barn Swallow  4

15. Black-capped Chickadee  1

16. White-breasted Nuthatch  1     Trees along east parking lot. Seen by Marian N.

17. House Wren  1

18. Blue-gray Gnatcatcher  1

19. American Robin  13

20. Gray Catbird  2

21. European Starling  30     Puts the Thunderbird jets in town for the Air & Water Show to shame, as the starlings are far more adept at flying in close formation.

22. Cedar Waxwing  22     At least two were flying around the canopy in the center of Wooded Island.

A flock of 20 landed on shrubs at the south end of Bobolink Meadow.  A juvenile stood boldly on top of a shrub for all to see. The juvenile wears vertical strips and has a small tuff of feathers for a crown.  The crown, albeit petite, plus the black eyes and mascara from the outside corner of its eye backward, gives clues to its identity.

1. American Goldfinch  4

2. Baltimore Oriole  1

3. Northern Cardinal  2

4. Indigo Bunting  1

5. House Sparrow  4

This is a group report, with many birders contributing to the list. Most of the birds were seen by at least several or all of the birders.

Corrections, additions and comments are welcome.

Recordings are not used to attract birds.

This report will be documented on eBird as a group report for the Wooded Island Bird Walks.

The Walks are free and open to one and all. They are held year round. Newcomers are warmly welcomed. 

Darrow Bridge: Darrow Bridge has been barricaded by the Department of Transportation. A high black metal iron fence has been erected on all four sides. The fence will remain in place until Darrow Bridge is completely rebuilt, which could be several years away. The Bridge has been deemed unsafe.

Birders meet on the east side of Darrow Bridge.

Saturday morning walks: Start at 8:00 a.m. covers a distance of two miles.  Birders walk counterclockwise around the Columbia Basin (North Lagoon) onto Wooded Island. Exiting Wooded Island at the south end, the birders walk along the soccer field and enter the south end of Bobolink Meadow. The Meadow’s path leads to the Music Bridge and back to the East Parking Lot. In late fall, winter and early spring, the birders check for birds on the lakefront and Outer Harbor near LaRabida Hospital, and the Inner Harbor.

Metered parking is available in the East Parking Lot that is accessible from South Lake Shore Drive. There is a Stop Light at Science Drive. This Stop Light is approximately 200 yards south of the major intersection with signs for Museum of Science and Industry. Make a turn at the 57th Street and Science Drive Stop Light towards the Museum. Turn Left (south) at the intersection of Science Drive and Columbia Drive. Go through the parking lot to the west end.

Birders meet in the southwest corner of the East Parking Lot.

Parking and Lots: The East Parking Lot is preferred. There is also unmetered parking along Stony Island Avenue from 56th to 59th Street.

Best of Birding to All,                    

Patricia Durkin

Chicago Audubon Society Representative

Submitted by Jennie Strable on Mon, 08/13/2018 - 8:04pm

Event date:

Saturday, August 11, 2018 - 8:00am 

Location:

-

Hello to All,

The bird of the day was a discovery by Jennie S. of a solitary Black-billed Cuckoo. The bird was perched in a small tree along the east side of the foot path that runs down the center of Wooded Island.  Steve B. was able to see the bird well too. Marian and I finally caught sight of the cuckoo when it flew off, but not a good enough look to count it on our own list.  Marian and I were talking rather than bird watching, which contributed to our miss. 

BIRDERS:      7.         (1) Gary M., (2) Marian N., (3) Jennie S., (4) Steve B., (5) Eric G, (6) Tobias G, and (7) Pat D.

TIME:             8:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.         

PLACES:        Wooded Island, Lagoons & Bobolink Meadow

DISTANCE:    2 miles

WEATHER:    Sunny. Temperature 78 – 82 F. Wind NW 5 -9 mph

TOTAL SPECIES COUNT:   35 (+2 other taxa)

1. Canada Goose  26

2. Wood Duck  11

3. Mallard  4

4. Mallard (Domestic type)  1     Swimming with Mallards. White on chest and face. Large bill.

5. Double-crested Cormorant  2

6. Great Blue Heron  3

7. Green Heron  3     1 in Japanese Garden. 2 near Turtle Island.

8. Black-crowned Night-Heron  1     Japanese Garden

9. Cooper's Hawk  2     Near 57th and Stony Island per Eric G.

10. Ring-billed Gull  4

11. Caspian Tern  1

12. Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon)  1

13. Black-billed Cuckoo  1     Quietly perched near the interior of a small tree, located in the center of Wooded Island. Flew off.

14. Chimney Swift  17     Numbers increased over East Lagoon towards the end of our walk.

15. Downy Woodpecker  3

16. Eastern Phoebe  1

17. Eastern Kingbird  9

18. flycatcher sp. (Tyrannidae sp.)  1

19. American Crow  1

20. Purple Martin  4

21. Barn Swallow  21

22. Cliff Swallow  2

23. Black-capped Chickadee  5

24. Blue-gray Gnatcatcher  6

25. American Robin  13

26. Gray Catbird  2

27. European Starling  33

28. Cedar Waxwing  2

29. Common Yellowthroat  2     South end of Bobolink Meadow. Heard by Eric G.

30. Yellow Warbler  1

31. Song Sparrow  3

32. Northern Cardinal  4

33. Indigo Bunting  4     Heard along Soccer Field shore.

34. Baltimore Oriole  3

35. Red-winged Blackbird  1

36. American Goldfinch  6

37. House Sparrow  5 

This is a group report, with many birders contributing to the list. Most of the birds were seen by at least several or all of the birders.

Corrections, additions and comments are welcome.

Recordings are not used to attract birds.

This report will be documented on eBird as a group report for the Wooded Island Bird Walks.

The Walks are free and open to one and all. They are held year round. Newcomers are warmly welcomed. 

Darrow Bridge: Darrow Bridge has been barricaded by the Department of Transportation. A high black metal iron fence has been erected on all four sides. The fence will remain in place until Darrow Bridge is completely rebuilt, which could be several years away. The Bridge has been deemed unsafe.

Birders meet on the east side of Darrow Bridge.

Saturday morning walks: Start at 8:00 a.m. covers a distance of two miles.  Birders walk counterclockwise around the Columbia Basin (North Lagoon) onto Wooded Island. Exiting Wooded Island at the south end, the birders walk along the soccer field and enter the south end of Bobolink Meadow. The Meadow’s path leads to the Music Bridge and back to the East Parking Lot. In late fall, winter and early spring, the birders check for birds on the lakefront and Outer Harbor near LaRabida Hospital, and the Inner Harbor.

Metered parking is available in the East Parking Lot that is accessible from South Lake Shore Drive. There is a Stop Light at Science Drive. This Stop Light is approximately 200 yards south of the major intersection with signs for Museum of Science and Industry. Make a turn at the 57th Street and Science Drive Stop Light towards the Museum. Turn Left (south) at the intersection of Science Drive and Columbia Drive. Go through the parking lot to the west end.

Birders meet in the southwest corner of the East Parking Lot.

Parking and Lots: The East Parking Lot is preferred. There is also unmetered parking along Stony Island Avenue from 56th to 59th Street.

Best of Birding to All,                    

Patricia Durkin

Chicago Audubon Society Representative

Submitted by Jennie Strable on Mon, 08/13/2018 - 8:02pm

Event date:

Saturday, August 4, 2018 - 8:00am 

Location:

-

Hello to All,

It proved to be a hot summer’s morning for us.  We only saw our usual summer residents, but it was fun to see them along with Darlene from out west in Utah.  She added a few species to her Life List and that made us all glad.

BIRDERS:      8.         (1) Marian N., (2) Jennie S., (3) Wei L., (4) Steve B., (5) Maureen M., (6) Darlene B. from Utah, looking for a Northern Cardinal and a few other locals for Life List, (7) David P., and (8) Pat D.

TIME:             8:00 a.m. to 11:15 a.m.         

PLACES:        Wooded Island, Lagoons, Bobolink Meadow

DISTANCE:    2 miles

WEATHER:    Sunny. Temperature 78 – 94 F. Wind South 6 – 18 mph

TOTAL SPECIES COUNT:   28 + 1 other taxa

1. Canada Goose  10

2. Wood Duck  2

3. Mallard  5

4. Double-crested Cormorant  1

5. Great Blue Heron  2

6. Green Heron  1

7. Black-crowned Night-Heron  1

8. Ring-billed Gull  1

9. Caspian Tern  4

10. Downy Woodpecker  1

11. Eastern Phoebe  3

12. Eastern Kingbird  6

13. flycatcher sp. (Tyrannidae sp.)  2

14. Warbling Vireo  1

15. Purple Martin  1

16. Barn Swallow  22

17. Cliff Swallow  7

18. Black-capped Chickadee  3

19. House Wren  3

20. Blue-gray Gnatcatcher  2

21. American Robin  5

22. Gray Catbird  1

23. European Starling  6

24. Yellow Warbler  1

25. Song Sparrow  1

26. Northern Cardinal  2

27. Indigo Bunting  1     Center of Wooded Island.

28. Baltimore Oriole  3

29. American Goldfinch  2 

This is a group report, with many birders contributing to the list. Most of the birds were seen by at least several or all of the birders.

Corrections, additions and comments are welcome.

Recordings are not used to attract birds.

This report will be documented on eBird as a group report for the Wooded Island Bird Walks.

The Walks are free and open to one and all. They are held year round. Newcomers are warmly welcomed. 

Darrow Bridge: Darrow Bridge has been barricaded by the Department of Transportation. A high black metal iron fence has been erected on all four sides. The fence will remain in place until Darrow Bridge is completely rebuilt, which could be several years away. The Bridge has been deemed unsafe.

Birders meet on the east side of Darrow Bridge.

Saturday morning walks: Start at 8:00 a.m. covers a distance of two miles.  Birders walk counterclockwise around the Columbia Basin (North Lagoon) onto Wooded Island. Exiting Wooded Island at the south end, the birders walk along the soccer field and enter the south end of Bobolink Meadow. The Meadow’s path leads to the Music Bridge and back to the East Parking Lot. In late fall, winter and early spring, the birders check for birds on the lakefront and Outer Harbor near LaRabida Hospital, and the Inner Harbor.

Metered parking is available in the East Parking Lot that is accessible from South Lake Shore Drive. There is a Stop Light at Science Drive. This Stop Light is approximately 200 yards south of the major intersection with signs for Museum of Science and Industry. Make a turn at the 57th Street and Science Drive Stop Light towards the Museum. Turn Left (south) at the intersection of Science Drive and Columbia Drive. Go through the parking lot to the west end.

Birders meet in the southwest corner of the East Parking Lot.

Parking and Lots: The East Parking Lot is preferred. There is also unmetered parking along Stony Island Avenue from 56th to 59th Street.

Best of Birding to All,                    

Patricia Durkin

Chicago Audubon Society Representative

Submitted by Jennie Strable on Mon, 07/30/2018 - 6:26pm

Event date:

Saturday, July 28, 2018 - 8:00am 

Location:

-

Hello everyone, 

It was a beautiful summer morning and we were lucky enough to have some special birds, even though we had a small group of birders today. 

BIRDERS:         Bruce, Marian, Steve, Eric, Tobias, Jennie 

TIME:               8:00am to 10:30am           

WEATHER:      Sunny, mild, in the 70s 

Many thanks to Eric and Bruce for sharing their E-bird lists.           

X = commonly seen and/or not counted. 

X Canada Goose

11 Wood Duck -- Female and 10 young

X Mallard

2 Double-crested Cormorant

4 Great Blue Heron

2 Great Egret

2 Green Heron

1 Black-crowned Night-Heron

X Ring-billed Gull

2 Caspian Tern

2 Chimney Swift

2 Ruby-throated Hummingbird

3 Downy Woodpecker

2 Eastern Phoebe

2 Great Crested Flycatcher

3 Eastern Kingbird

4 Warbling Vireo

1 American Crow

X Purple Martin

10 Barn Swallow

2 Cliff Swallow

6 Black-capped Chickadee

1 White-breasted Nuthatch

6 House Wren

1 Blue-gray Gnatcatcher

X American Robin

1 Gray Catbird

X European Starling

2 Cedar Waxwing

1 Common Yellowthroat -- Heard, south end of Bobolink Meadow 

5 Yellow Warbler

1 Chipping Sparrow

4 Song Sparrow

1 Northern Cardinal

3 Indigo Bunting

1 Baltimore Oriole

5 Red-winged Blackbird

X Brown-headed Cowbird

4 American Goldfinch

1 House Sparrow

This is a group report, with many birders contributing to the list. Most of the birds were seen by at least several or all of the birders. 

Corrections, additions and comments are welcome. 

Recordings are not used to attract birds.

 This report will be recorded on eBird as a group report for the Wooded Island Bird Walks. 

The Walks are free and open to one and all. They are held year round. Newcomers are warmly welcomed.  

Darrow Bridge: Darrow Bridge has been barricaded by the Department of Transportation. A high black iron fence has been erected on all four sides. The fence will remain in place until Darrow Bridge is completely rebuilt, which could be several years away. The Bridge has been deemed unsafe. 

Saturday morning walks: Start at 8:00 a.m. covers a distance of two miles.  Birders walk counterclockwise around the Columbia Basin (North Lagoon) onto Wooded Island. Exiting Wooded Island at the south end, the birders walk along the soccer field and enter the south end of Bobolink Meadow. The Meadow’s path leads to the Music Bridge and back to the East Parking Lot. In late fall, winter and early spring, the birders check for birds on the lakefront and Outer Harbor near LaRabida Hospital, and the Inner Harbor. 

Directions:  Exit Lake Shore Drive at Science Drive, which is the stoplight just south of the major 57th Drive intersection by the Museum of Science and Industry.  Turn Left (south) at the stop sign at the intersection of Science Drive and Columbia Drive. Go through the parking lot to the southwest end.  Metered parking is available and birders meet in the southwest corner of the east parking lot. 

Good birding, 

Jennie

Wooded Island Bird Walk Report July 14, 2018

Submitted by Jennie Strable on Thu, 07/19/2018 - 11:50am

Event date: Saturday, July 14, 2018 - 8:00am Location:

-

Hello to All,

Yep. We birded in the rain.  Can’t explain.  Normal birder behavior.  Afterward, Jennie S., Karin D., Marian N. and I celebrated Karin Cassel’s birthday at Svea, a Swedish restaurant on north Clark Street.

Then we ventured to Volo Bog in Lake County Illinois in search of the family of Sandhill Cranes that successfully nested in that vast preserve. Some birders saw a pair on Sandhill Cranes on the extensive grounds of Baxter Laboratories. But no cranes were seen or heard at Volo Bog.

There are two trails in the Bog.  One is what is called a “floating” boardwalk.  If you have pre-existing balance issues, this boardwalk will be a challenge.  The trick is to let the person in front of you move to the next segment before you step onto the section that they just left.  Nothing rare or unusual was seen or heard.  There is a visitor center and the grounds around the building and parking lot is well kept. Aquatic Prairie plants, with plenty of arrowroot, are in the bogs.

BIRDERS:      7

TIME:             8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.

PLACES:        North Basin, Wooded Island, Lagoons & Bobolink Meadow

DISTANCE:    2 miles

WEATHER:    Light warm rain throughout the Walk.  Temperature 72+ F.

TOTAL SPECIES COUNT:  29

Jackson Park Birds:

1. Canada Goose

2. Wood Duck – female with young

3. Mallard – female with young.

4. Great Blue Heron

5. Green Heron – 2. North Basin and East Lagoon near the Japanese Garden.

6. Black-crowned Night Heron – one adult was perched high in a tree to the left of the Japanese Garden entrance.

7. Hawk species – 1. Quick flight and exit through the Japanese Garden

8. Ring-billed Gull

9. Caspian Tern – 2

10. Eastern Phoebe

11. Eastern Kingbird

12. American Crow

13. Purple Martin – 35+ what a sight to see male, female, adult and young perched side-by-side on the antennas of the Houses.  The gentle rain provided a warm shower. I have never seen this line up before.

14. Northern Rough-winged Swallow

15. Cliff Swallows – few near MSI portico.

16. Barn Swallow

17. House Wren

18. Gary Catbird

19. European Starling

20. Yellow Warbler

21. Cedar Waxwing

22. Song Sparrow

23. Northern Cardinal

24. Indigo Bunting

25. Red-winged Blackbird

26. Brown-headed Cowbird

27. Baltimore Oriole – 2. South side of Music Bridge.

28. House Finch

29. American Goldfinch

This is a group report, with many birders contributing to the list. Most of the birds were seen by at least several or all of the birders.

Corrections, additions and comments are welcome.

Recordings are not used to attract birds.

This report will be documented on eBird as a group report for the Wooded Island Bird Walks.

The Walks are free and open to one and all. They are held year round. Newcomers are warmly welcomed. 

Darrow Bridge: Darrow Bridge has been barricaded by the Department of Transportation. A high black metal iron fence has been erected on all four sides. The fence will remain in place until Darrow Bridge is completely rebuilt, which could be several years away. The Bridge has been deemed unsafe.

Birders meet on the east side of Darrow Bridge.

Saturday morning walks: Start at 8:00 a.m. covers a distance of two miles.  Birders walk counterclockwise around the Columbia Basin (North Lagoon) onto Wooded Island. Exiting Wooded Island at the south end, the birders walk along the soccer field and enter the south end of Bobolink Meadow. The Meadow’s path leads to the Music Bridge and back to the East Parking Lot. In late fall, winter and early spring, the birders check for birds on the lakefront and Outer Harbor near LaRabida Hospital, and the Inner Harbor.

Metered parking is available in the East Parking Lot that is accessible from South Lake Shore Drive. There is a Stop Light at Science Drive. This Stop Light is approximately 200 yards south of the major intersection with signs for Museum of Science and Industry. Make a turn at the 57th Street and Science Drive Stop Light towards the Museum. Turn Left (south) at the intersection of Science Drive and Columbia Drive. Go through the parking lot to the west end.

Birders meet in the southwest corner of the East Parking Lot.

Parking and Lots: The East Parking Lot is preferred. There is also unmetered parking along Stony Island Avenue from 56th to 59th Street.

Best of Birding to All,                    

Patricia Durkin

Submitted by Jennie Strable on Mon, 07/02/2018 - 8:12pm

Event date:

Saturday, June 30, 2018 - 8:00am 

Location:

-

Hello everyone,

It was a horribly hot and humid day, but our resident birds made the sweaty walk worthwhile.  A Great Blue Heron caught a huge fish, brought it up to the bank of the north lagoon, and then wasn’t sure what to do with it. He would pick it up, dropped it, pecked at it, then looked at it with a puzzled expression on his face.  I hope that he didn’t try to swallow it because the fish was way too big to slide down his throat. 

High in the sky we saw a Turkey Vulture being chased by a smaller bird, which we’re pretty sure was a Cooper’s Hawk.  The hawk and vulture flew up and down and back and forth and then out of our sight so we don’t know how that saga ended, but the hawk looked very determined so I doubt if that vulture will be back any time soon.

Next Saturday is the annual Chosen Few DJs picnic on the soccer field which will result in no access to our usual parking lot or the soccer field, plus lots of people and noise, so our usual walk is cancelled for Saturday July 7th.  I hope to see everyone the following Saturday.

BIRDERS:        Steve, Tracy, Marian, Bruce, Eric, Karin D, Jennie

TIME:               8:00am to 10:30am

WEATHER:      Very hot and humid with little breeze.

Thanks to Eric for his Ebird list.           

X = commonly seen and/or not counted.

Jackson Park, Chicago--Wooded Island/Bobolink Meadow area

Jun 30, 2018

8:07 AM

Traveling

1.50 miles

125 Minutes

All birds reported? Yes

X Canada Goose

1 Wood Duck

14 Mallard

2 Double-crested Cormorant

5 Great Blue Heron -- 1 with oversize fish

1 Green Heron

1 Turkey Vulture

3 Ring-billed Gull

1 Caspian Tern

5 Chimney Swift

1 Ruby-throated Hummingbird

1 Eastern Wood-Pewee

1 Eastern Phoebe

3 Eastern Kingbird

5 Warbling Vireo

1 Red-eyed Vireo

5 American Crow

10 Purple Martin

X Barn Swallow

4 Cliff Swallow

X swallow sp.

2 Black-capped Chickadee

5 House Wren -- 2 on light pole #40

1 Blue-gray Gnatcatcher

9 American Robin

3 Gray Catbird

4 European Starling

6 Yellow Warbler

3 Chipping Sparrow

2 Song Sparrow

3 Northern Cardinal

3 Indigo Bunting

3 Baltimore Oriole

3 Red-winged Blackbird

5 Brown-headed Cowbird

1 Common Grackle

5 American Goldfinch

4 House Sparrow

2 passerine sp. -- Young sparrows

Number of Taxa: 39

This is a group report, with many birders contributing to the list. Most of the birds were seen by at least several or all of the birders.

Corrections, additions and comments are welcome.

Recordings are not used to attract birds.

The Walks are free and open to one and all. They are held year round. Newcomers are warmly welcomed. 

Darrow Bridge: Darrow Bridge has been barricaded by the Department of Transportation. A high black iron fence has been erected on all four sides. The fence will remain in place until Darrow Bridge is completely rebuilt, which could be several years away. The Bridge has been deemed unsafe. 

Saturday morning walks: Start at 8:00 a.m. covers a distance of two miles.  Birders walk counterclockwise around the Columbia Basin (North Lagoon) onto Wooded Island. Exiting Wooded Island at the south end, the birders walk along the soccer field and enter the south end of Bobolink Meadow. The Meadow’s path leads to the Music Bridge and back to the East Parking Lot. In late fall, winter and early spring, the birders check for birds on the lakefront and Outer Harbor near LaRabida Hospital, and the Inner Harbor.

Directions:  Exit Lake Shore Drive at Science Drive, which is the stoplight just south of the major 57th Drive intersection by the Museum of Science and Industry.  Turn Left (south) at the stop sign at the intersection of Science Drive and Columbia Drive. Go through the parking lot to the southwest end.  Metered parking is available and birders meet in the southwest corner of the east parking lot.

Good birding everyone!

JennieSubmitted by Jennie Strable on Mon, 07/02/2018 - 8:12pm

Event date:

Saturday, June 30, 2018 - 8:00am 

Location:

-

Hello everyone,

It was a horribly hot and humid day, but our resident birds made the sweaty walk worthwhile.  A Great Blue Heron caught a huge fish, brought it up to the bank of the north lagoon, and then wasn’t sure what to do with it. He would pick it up, dropped it, pecked at it, then looked at it with a puzzled expression on his face.  I hope that he didn’t try to swallow it because the fish was way too big to slide down his throat. 

High in the sky we saw a Turkey Vulture being chased by a smaller bird, which we’re pretty sure was a Cooper’s Hawk.  The hawk and vulture flew up and down and back and forth and then out of our sight so we don’t know how that saga ended, but the hawk looked very determined so I doubt if that vulture will be back any time soon.

Next Saturday is the annual Chosen Few DJs picnic on the soccer field which will result in no access to our usual parking lot or the soccer field, plus lots of people and noise, so our usual walk is cancelled for Saturday July 7th.  I hope to see everyone the following Saturday.

BIRDERS:        Steve, Tracy, Marian, Bruce, Eric, Karin D, Jennie

TIME:               8:00am to 10:30am

WEATHER:      Very hot and humid with little breeze.

Thanks to Eric for his Ebird list.           

X = commonly seen and/or not counted.

Jackson Park, Chicago--Wooded Island/Bobolink Meadow area

Jun 30, 2018

8:07 AM

Traveling

1.50 miles

125 Minutes

All birds reported? Yes

X Canada Goose

1 Wood Duck

14 Mallard

2 Double-crested Cormorant

5 Great Blue Heron -- 1 with oversize fish

1 Green Heron

1 Turkey Vulture

3 Ring-billed Gull

1 Caspian Tern

5 Chimney Swift

1 Ruby-throated Hummingbird

1 Eastern Wood-Pewee

1 Eastern Phoebe

3 Eastern Kingbird

5 Warbling Vireo

1 Red-eyed Vireo

5 American Crow

10 Purple Martin

X Barn Swallow

4 Cliff Swallow

X swallow sp.

2 Black-capped Chickadee

5 House Wren -- 2 on light pole #40

1 Blue-gray Gnatcatcher

9 American Robin

3 Gray Catbird

4 European Starling

6 Yellow Warbler

3 Chipping Sparrow

2 Song Sparrow

3 Northern Cardinal

3 Indigo Bunting

3 Baltimore Oriole

3 Red-winged Blackbird

5 Brown-headed Cowbird

1 Common Grackle

5 American Goldfinch

4 House Sparrow

2 passerine sp. -- Young sparrows

Number of Taxa: 39

This is a group report, with many birders contributing to the list. Most of the birds were seen by at least several or all of the birders.

Corrections, additions and comments are welcome.

Recordings are not used to attract birds.

The Walks are free and open to one and all. They are held year round. Newcomers are warmly welcomed. 

Darrow Bridge: Darrow Bridge has been barricaded by the Department of Transportation. A high black iron fence has been erected on all four sides. The fence will remain in place until Darrow Bridge is completely rebuilt, which could be several years away. The Bridge has been deemed unsafe. 

Saturday morning walks: Start at 8:00 a.m. covers a distance of two miles.  Birders walk counterclockwise around the Columbia Basin (North Lagoon) onto Wooded Island. Exiting Wooded Island at the south end, the birders walk along the soccer field and enter the south end of Bobolink Meadow. The Meadow’s path leads to the Music Bridge and back to the East Parking Lot. In late fall, winter and early spring, the birders check for birds on the lakefront and Outer Harbor near LaRabida Hospital, and the Inner Harbor.

Directions:  Exit Lake Shore Drive at Science Drive, which is the stoplight just south of the major 57th Drive intersection by the Museum of Science and Industry.  Turn Left (south) at the stop sign at the intersection of Science Drive and Columbia Drive. Go through the parking lot to the southwest end.  Metered parking is available and birders meet in the southwest corner of the east parking lot.

Good birding everyone!

Jennie

Submitted by Jennie Strable on Wed, 06/27/2018 - 11:54am

Event date:

Saturday, June 16, 2018 - 8:00am 

Location:

-

Bloomsday – Dublin 1904:  “Stately, plump Buck Mulligan came from the stairhead, bearing a bowl of lather on which a mirror and a razor lay crossed.” Opening line of James Joyce’s “Ulysses.”

Hello to All

The North Lagoon (Columbia Basin) held about twenty dead white fish in its NW corner.  Heavy growth of vegetation is notable from the bottom to the surface of this shallow basin. When aquatic vegetation such as algae, pondweeds and other aquatic plants die and decompose, oxygen is consumed in the process of decay, starting at the bottom layer where the fish live. Oxygen depletion, algal blooms, pesticide toxicity and disease are the most common causes of summer fish kills.  Warm water hold less dissolved oxygen than cold water.

Our summer residents are staying quiet and hidden. Nests are hard to spot. 

BIRDERS:      7.         (1) Gary M., (2) Melinda R. and spouse (3) Michael R. – new birders, (4) Michael B. and father (5) Keven B. – new birders, (6) Steve B. and (7) Pat D.

TIME:             8:00 a.m. to 10:20 a.m.         

PLACES:        North, East & West Lagoons, Wooded Island, Soccer Field, Bobolink Meadow

DISTANCE:    Two miles

WEATHER:    Sunny. Humid from overnight rainstorm. Temperature 72 – 84 F. Wind SW 10 – 15 mph. Bless the soul who added air conditioning to automobiles.

TOTAL SPECIES COUNT:   28

1. Canada Goose  106

2. Wood Duck  14     A flock of one female with 6 young swam along the SW shore of the North Lagoon (Columbia Basin) Another flock of one female and 6 young were seen along the shore of Heron Island in the East Lagoon. Possible it was the same flock, but hope that it was two different flocks.

3. Mallard  16     Males are starting eclipse molting.  One female Mallard was with 8 ducklings in the North Lagoon (Columbia Basin)

4. Double-crested Cormorant  1     It's head was folded onto its back, as it perched on a log in the East Lagoon.  It stayed on the log throughout our Walk.

5. Great Blue Heron  1

6. Black-crowned Night-Heron  5     At start of walk, an adult and juvenile were perched on a log (new?) at the north end of the East Lagoon, seen from the parking lot. Other single sightings were adults.

7. Ring-billed Gull  2

8. Caspian Tern  1

9. Chimney Swift  1     Undercount

10. Ruby-throated Hummingbird  2     One has been seen regularly on the SW corner of Darrow Bridge.

11. Downy Woodpecker  1

12. Eastern Wood-Pewee  1     Wing bars noted by Gary M. who first spotted the flycatcher in the shrubs  along the SW end of the North Lagoon (Columbia Basin)

13. Yellow-throated Vireo  1     Reported to birders by Randy S. at the north end of Bobolink Meadow.

14. American Crow  2     Atop the Museum

15. Purple Martin  10     Adults were in flight or standing on front porches and antennae. The faces of youngsters were seen at opening portals. Their sweet song filled the air.

16. Barn Swallow  8

17. House Wren  4

18. Blue-gray Gnatcatcher  2

19. American Robin  2

20. Gray Catbird  2

21. European Starling  15     Giving flight lessons to the young.

22. Cedar Waxwing  5     The group landed silently on a top branches of a tree along between the East Lagoon and the parking lot. The departure was silent and unnoticed by the birders.

23. Yellow Warbler  3

24. Song Sparrow  1

25. Northern Cardinal  1

26. Red-winged Blackbird  6

27. Brown-headed Cowbird  3

28. House Finch  1

     

This is a group report, with many birders contributing to the list. Most of the birds were seen by at least several or all of the birders.

Corrections, additions and comments are welcome.

Recordings are not used to attract birds.

This report will be documented on eBird as a group report for the Wooded Island Bird Walks.

The Walks are free and open to one and all. They are held year round. Newcomers are warmly welcomed. 

Darrow Bridge: Darrow Bridge has been barricaded by the Department of Transportation. A high black metal iron fence has been erected on all four sides. The fence will remain in place until Darrow Bridge is completely rebuilt, which could be several years away. The Bridge has been deemed unsafe.

Birders meet on the east side of Darrow Bridge.

Saturday morning walks: Start at 8:00 a.m. covers a distance of two miles.  Birders walk counterclockwise around the Columbia Basin (North Lagoon) onto Wooded Island. Exiting Wooded Island at the south end, the birders walk along the soccer field and enter the south end of Bobolink Meadow. The Meadow’s path leads to the Music Bridge and back to the East Parking Lot. In late fall, winter and early spring, the birders check for birds on the lakefront and Outer Harbor near LaRabida Hospital, and the Inner Harbor.

Metered parking is available in the East Parking Lot that is accessible from South Lake Shore Drive. There is a Stop Light at Science Drive. This Stop Light is approximately 200 yards south of the major intersection with signs for Museum of Science and Industry. Make a turn at the 57th Street and Science Drive Stop Light towards the Museum. Turn Left (south) at the intersection of Science Drive and Columbia Drive. Go through the parking lot to the west end.

Birders meet in the southwest corner of the East Parking Lot.

Parking and Lots: The East Parking Lot is preferred. There is also unmetered parking along Stony Island Avenue from 56th to 59th Street.

Best of Birding to All,                    

Patricia Durkin

Submitted by Jennie Strable on Tue, 06/05/2018 - 1:03pm

Event date:

Saturday, June 2, 2018 - 8:00am 

Location:

-

Hello to All,

Some of our regular birds must have been busy with other matters, than to check on the Saturday morning birders.  Raptors and woodpeckers were underrepresented.  It seems like a good summer for Indigo Buntings and Hummingbirds. Time will tell, if they found a home or are just passing through.

A couple of years ago, a young birder named Ben Sanders showed up for our Walk. He is not related to the “Colonel”, although they share the same birthdate. His dad dropped him off. At the end of the Walk, some of us were heading out to Indiana for brunch and more birding. Ben asked if he could join us. “Sure!” We packed into my car and off we went.  Along the way, we found out that Ben was hoping to break 100 in Life Birds.  Now we had a mission – To get Ben over 100 – and we did!  It was a flock of late afternoon Sandhill Cranes flying low over Lake Calumet in a southeast direction.

Since those early days, Ben got his driver’s license.  He delved deeper and deeper into the study of birds.  He volunteered at the Field Museum. Last summer he worked at an eco-lodge in Peru. He joined the Young Birder group of the Illinois Ornithological Society.  Ben would still join us on the Walks, but less frequently. This year Ben is working on a Cook County Big Year.

This was a momentous weekend in Ben’s life.  Karin D, Karin C. and I attended Ben’s Ceremony as he was accepted into the ranks of Eagle Scout. The following day, Ben graduated from Evanston Township High School.  In his speech, Ben mentioned the experienced gained, early on, with the Birders of Jackson Park.  We are proud of Ben and his accomplishments; his steadfastness and determination. His future awaits him with great hope and promise.

BIRDERS:      18.       (1) Gary M., (2) Michael M. and sons (3) David M. and (4) Isaac M – new birders to Jackson Park, (5) Marian N., (6) Bruce McM.,(7) Jennie S., (8) Hal C and (9) Joann C., (10) Catherine G., (11) Eric G. and (12) Tobias G. on summer break from Cornell U., (13) Karin D., (14) David P., (15) Naomi P., (16) Randy S. and (17) Paul C. briefly part of group, and (18) Pat D.

TIME:             8:00 a.m. to 10:40 a.m.         

PLACES:        Wooded Island, Bobolink Meadow, Lagoons and Soccer Field.

DISTANCE:    Two miles

WEATHER:    Cloudy Cool. Temperature 58 – 61 F. Winds ENE 5 -10 mph.

TOTAL SPECIES COUNT:  38

1. Canada Goose  53

2. Wood Duck  3

3. Mallard  9

4. Great Blue Heron  2

5. Green Heron  1

6. Black-crowned Night-Heron  3

7. Ring-billed Gull  4

8. Caspian Tern  1

9. Mourning Dove  1     On Wooded Island. Rare sighting on our walks.

10. Chimney Swift  5

11. Ruby-throated Hummingbird  5     Did a couple "put a tail" on the birders?  More than one for sure.

12. Eastern Wood-Pewee  1

13. Willow Flycatcher  1     Near Turtle Island. Confirmed by sneezy song, "Fitz-bew", Maybe an allergic sneeze. Just joking.

14. Great Crested Flycatcher  1     On Wooded Island. In open view. South west area.

15. Eastern Kingbird  3

16. Warbling Vireo  1

17. Red-eyed Vireo  2 Seen at eye level and up close.  Maybe nest building, NW are of soccer field.

18. American Crow  1

19. Northern Rough-winged Swallow  1

20. Purple Martin  3     More inside houses. Just waiting for warmer temperature and more bug activity.

21. Barn Swallow  12

22. Cliff Swallow  2     Only a single occupied mud nest attached to the roof of the Museum portico. Not like last year, when the place was covered with nests.

23. Black-capped Chickadee  1

24. House Wren  3

25. Blue-gray Gnatcatcher  4     On nest.

26. American Robin  8

27. Gray Catbird  1

28. European Starling  1

29. Cedar Waxwing  5     In oak tree SE of Purple Martin Houses. Carrying nesting material. Silent.

30. Common Yellowthroat  1

31. Yellow Warbler  10

32. Song Sparrow  1

33. Northern Cardinal  5

34. Indigo Bunting  6

35. Baltimore Oriole  5     On nest

36. Red-winged Blackbird  9

37. Brown-headed Cowbird  4

38. American Goldfinch  2

This is a group report, with many birders contributing to the list. Most of the birds were seen by at least several or all of the birders.

Corrections, additions and comments are welcome.

Recordings are not used to attract birds.

This report will be documented on eBird as a group report for the Wooded Island Bird Walks.

The Walks are free and open to one and all. They are held year round. Newcomers are warmly welcomed. 

Darrow Bridge: Darrow Bridge has been barricaded by the Department of Transportation. A high black metal iron fence has been erected on all four sides. The fence will remain in place until Darrow Bridge is completely rebuilt, which could be several years away. The Bridge has been deemed unsafe.

Birders meet on the east side of Darrow Bridge.

Saturday morning walks: Start at 8:00 a.m. covers a distance of two miles.  Birders walk counterclockwise around the Columbia Basin (North Lagoon) onto Wooded Island. Exiting Wooded Island at the south end, the birders walk along the soccer field and enter the south end of Bobolink Meadow. The Meadow’s path leads to the Music Bridge and back to the East Parking Lot. In late fall, winter and early spring, the birders check for birds on the lakefront and Outer Harbor near LaRabida Hospital, and the Inner Harbor.

Metered parking is available in the East Parking Lot that is accessible from South Lake Shore Drive. There is a Stop Light at Science Drive. This Stop Light is approximately 200 yards south of the major intersection with signs for Museum of Science and Industry. Make a turn at the 57th Street and Science Drive Stop Light towards the Museum. Turn Left (south) at the intersection of Science Drive and Columbia Drive. Go through the parking lot to the west end.

Birders meet in the southwest corner of the East Parking Lot.

Parking and Lots: The East Parking Lot is preferred. There is also unmetered parking along Stony Island Avenue from 56th to 59th Street.

Best of Birding to All,                    

Patricia Durkin

Submitted by Jennie Strable on Sun, 05/27/2018 - 3:20pm

Event date:

Saturday, May 26, 2018 - 8:00am 

Location:

-

Hello everyone,

What a difference a week makes. Most of our migratory warblers have moved on, leaving our usual summer residents to greet us. A Snowy Egret was seen at the south end of the Island early in the morning by some other birders and reported on IBET. We didn’t see the posting but we ran into Ben Sanders in the Osaka Garden and he had come to the park to try and find the Egret. He saw it but then it flew west and we couldn’t relocate it.

We were consoled, however, by great looks at a Great Crested Flycatcher. He posed beautifully for us and we were able to see all the defining field marks of this bird. He looked just like the picture in my field guide! J We also had a gorgeous Red-headed Woodpecker in the Osaka Garden which was a special treat.

Eddie took some great photos of the flycatcher, woodpecker and other birds and has kindly shared a link with us: https://photos.app.goo.gl/BJ9DCyAyM8nRnAlq2

BIRDERS:  Gary, along with his nephew and his wife, Eric, Marian, Tracy, Al, Ann from Kentucky, with 3 friends, Bruce, Eddie, Betty and Neal from Brooklyn, Karin D., Catherine, Jennie     

TIME:    8:00am to 10:30am

WEATHER:  Sunny, hot, 70s to 80s

Here is the list compiled by our official list keeper, Eric.             

X = commonly seen and/or not counted.

Birds I missed that others saw:

Caspian tern

Common yellowthroat

Red-eyed vireo

Great Crested Flycatcher

Hairy Woodpecker

Blackpoll Warbler

Snowy Egret

My count:

X Canada Goose

5 Wood Duck

X Mallard

4 Great Blue Heron

1 Great Egret

3 Green Heron

5 Black-crowned Night-Heron

1 Spotted Sandpiper

X Ring-billed Gull

1 Herring Gull

1 Chimney Swift

1 Red-headed Woodpecker

3 Eastern Wood-Pewee -- Heard

2 Empidonax sp.

1 Eastern Phoebe

2 Eastern Kingbird

4 Warbling Vireo

1 Blue Jay

1 American Crow

X Purple Martin

1 Tree Swallow

X Barn Swallow

1 Black-capped Chickadee

4 House Wren

3 Blue-gray Gnatcatcher

2 Swainson's Thrush

4 American Robin

1 thrush sp.

5 Gray Catbird

2 European Starling

23 Cedar Waxwing

1 American Redstart -- Drab

1 Magnolia Warbler

6 Yellow Warbler

2 Song Sparrow

3 Northern Cardinal

4 Indigo Bunting

1 Orchard Oriole

3 Baltimore Oriole

X Red-winged Blackbird

2 Brown-headed Cowbird

2 Common Grackle

3 American Goldfinch

3 House Sparrow

Number of Taxa: 44

This is a group report, with many birders contributing to the list. Most of the birds were seen by at least several or all of the birders.  Corrections, additions and comments are welcome.

Recordings are not used to attract birds.

This report will be recorded on eBird as a group report for the Wooded Island Bird Walks.

The Walks are free and open to one and all. They are held year round. Newcomers are warmly welcomed. 

Darrow Bridge: Darrow Bridge has been barricaded by the Department of Transportation. A high black iron fence has been erected on all four sides. The fence will remain in place until Darrow Bridge is completely rebuilt, which could be several years away. The Bridge has been deemed unsafe.

Saturday morning walks: Start at 8:00 a.m. covers a distance of two miles.  Birders walk counterclockwise around the Columbia Basin (North Lagoon) onto Wooded Island. Exiting Wooded Island at the south end, the birders walk along the soccer field and enter the south end of Bobolink Meadow. The Meadow’s path leads to the Music Bridge and back to the East Parking Lot. In late fall, winter and early spring, the birders check for birds on the lakefront and Outer Harbor near LaRabida Hospital, and the Inner Harbor.

Directions:  Exit Lake Shore Drive at Science Drive, which is the stoplight just south of the major 57th Drive intersection by the Museum of Science and Industry.  Turn Left (south) at the stop sign at the intersection of Science Drive and Columbia Drive. Go through the parking lot to the southwest end.  Metered parking is available and birders meet in the southwest corner of the east parking lot.

Good birding everyone,

Jennie

Submitted by Jennie Strable on Mon, 05/21/2018 - 12:44pm

Event date:

Saturday, May 19, 2018 - 8:00am 

Location:

-

Hello to All,

Eric G. has an amazing phone app. It was able to tell him, down to the minute, when the drizzle would stop, and it did. 

We were walking along the south side of the Museum when the drizzle stopped.  By then we had seen a pair of Green Herons, and Gary M. spotted the nest that the pair were building in a short tree on the east side of the south façade of the Museum.  This is where their nest was built last year. Oh Happy Day!!

In the center of Wooded Island, Eric G. and I had convinced the birders that there was a Prothonotary Warbler. Given, it was in an unlikely habitat (not near water) and there was a male Yellow Warbler nearby.  But we were satisfied, that is, until Jennie S., a Prothonotary Warbler devotee, stayed back to study the bird.  Jennie met up with the group on the South Bridge. With Sibley’s app in hand, she took Eric G. and me aside, and caused us to abandon our call of a Prothonotary Warbler, and admit that the bird was likely a female Yellow Warbler. Intellectual honesty hurts sometimes.  But a founding principle of our Walks is Intellectual Honesty.

Karin D. lamented that her collective knowledge of warbler identification goes into a temporary memory file that gets erased every year.  Fall warblers are in another temporary file.

The sighting of the Mourning Warbler was special for all of us, especially for Seven O. from Boston. This was a target bird for him.  We all enjoyed great close up views at eye level.

After four hours of birding Jackson Park, five of us drove off to Sunrise Restaurant in Whiting, Indiana for brunch, with Karin Cassel in tow. We then headed to Gibson Woods in Hammond, Indiana. Our last visit was several months ago, before Karin C.’s fall that sent revenues to the University of Chicago Hospital. But Karin C. is resilient, and birding is a priority. 

At Gibson Woods, we saw both multiple Baltimore Orioles and a single male Orchard Oriole, from the comfort of easy chairs.  I noticed a burl on a distant tree limb.  I instantly thought back to the time on Wooded Island, many years ago, when Paul Clyne pointed out a resting nightjar on a horizontal branch of an oak tree, at the southwest corner of Wooded Island. Could this burl be a bird?  Out came the scope.  Focused at 60, the burl became a bird --- a Common Nighthawk at rest! What a wonderful sight!

BIRDERS:  8  (1) Gary M., (2) Eric G., (3) Jennie S., (4) Marian N., (5) Tracy W.,(6) Seven O. from Boston, a former Hyde Parker,(7) Karin D. and(8) Pat D.

TIME: 8:00 a.m. to 12 noon

PLACES:  Wooded Island, Bobolink Meadow, and the three lagoons.

DISTANCE:  2 miles

WEATHER:    Cloudy. Drizzle in the first hour, Temperature 54 - 58 F.

Wind NNE 5 - 10mph. Not felt much while on Wooded Island.

TOTAL SPECIES COUNT:  62

1. Canada Goose  18     5 goslings were with parents at the SW end of the West Lagoon.

2. Wood Duck  13     Maybe some double counting.

3. Mallard  5     A single female was perched on a horizontal oak branch in the center of Wooded Island.  Alone in her splendor, she behaved like a Wood Duck, who had  enough of male pursuits.

4. Red-breasted Merganser  1     Female. Lingering in the East Lagoon. Diving. On land later. Looks a little ragged.

5. Double-crested Cormorant  2

6. Great Blue Heron  1

7. Green Heron  2     Nest building in tree along south east facade of Museum of Science & Industry

8. Black-crowned Night-Heron  2

9. Spotted Sandpiper  3     Around the shores of the North Lagoon (North Basin) Favored the NE and SW corners.

10. Ring-billed Gull  4

11. Herring Gull  1     North Lagoon (North Basin)

12. Mourning Dove  2     Not common in Jackson Park. A pair was seen and heard in the small trees at the NW corner of the soccer field.

13. Chimney Swift  38

14. Ruby-throated Hummingbird  2     One near the SW corner of Darrow Bridge. The other was on Wooded Island. South end.

15. Downy Woodpecker  2

16. Hairy Woodpecker  1     In the woods at the north end of Bobolink Meadow. Outer tail white feathers were solid white, and size appeared larger than a Downy Woodpecker. Seen by Pat Durkin,

17. Northern Flicker  1

18. Eastern Phoebe  2

19. Eastern Kingbird  5

20. Yellow-throated Vireo  1     Spotted by Eric G. at the edge of the woods, north end of Bobolink Meadow. Field guides were checked by birders while looking at the bird. Yep. Yellow-throated Vireo.

21. Warbling Vireo  4

22. Red-eyed Vireo  1     West side of barricaded Darrow Bridge.

23. American Crow  2

24. Northern Rough-winged Swallow  4

25. Purple Martin  11     Staying in their houses during drizzle time. At the end of our walk,  four hours later, a silent flock of 8 were seen, perched on the crown of a tree, from the Music Bridge.  The flock burst into flight, and a few gurgling calls were heard as the flew in the direction of homes (summer rentals)

26. Tree Swallow  2

27. Barn Swallow  10

28. House Wren  8     Nesting material was being carried to a tree hole at the SW corner of the South Bridge.

29. Blue-gray Gnatcatcher  5

30. Ruby-crowned Kinglet  1

31. Eastern Bluebird  1     Heard near the South Bridge.

32. Swainson's Thrush  2

33. American Robin  4

34. Gray Catbird  2

35. European Starling  2

36. Cedar Waxwing  13     The flock flew in silently and landed above our heads. Center of Wooded Island.

37. Black-and-white Warbler  2

38. Mourning Warbler  1     Great close eye level views. Seen by all the birders. In the center of Wooded Island.

39. Common Yellowthroat  19

40. American Redstart  3

41. Northern Parula  1     Heard near the South Bridge. Seven O. from Boston is very familiar with this bird's call.

42. Magnolia Warbler  6

43. Yellow Warbler  13

44. Chestnut-sided Warbler  2     One SW corner near Darrow Bridge. The other was in the tree SW corner of South Bridge.

45. Blackpoll Warbler  1

46. Palm Warbler  6

47. Yellow-rumped Warbler  5

48. Black-throated Green Warbler  1     On the edge of the wood's path,  at the north end of Bobolink Meadow

49. Canada Warbler  1

50. Wilson's Warbler  2

51. White-crowned Sparrow  4

52. Song Sparrow  3

53. Swamp Sparrow  2

54. Northern Cardinal  7

55. Rose-breasted Grosbeak  1     In tree south of Purple Martin Houses. Adult female.

56. Indigo Bunting  6     Solo sightings of males, boldly perched in plain sight.

57. Baltimore Oriole  6     Nest building on a draping branch SW corner of Music Bridge.

58. Red-winged Blackbird  7

59. Brown-headed Cowbird  4

60. House Finch  1     South side of Museum of Science & Industry.

61. American Goldfinch  4

62. House Sparrow  1

This is a group report, with many birders contributing to the list. Most of the birds were seen by at least several or all of the birders.

Corrections, additions and comments are welcome.

Recordings are not used to attract birds.

This report will be documented on eBird as a group report for the Wooded Island Bird Walks.

The Walks are free and open to one and all. They are held year round. Newcomers are warmly welcomed. 

Darrow Bridge: Darrow Bridge has been barricaded by the Department of Transportation. A high black metal iron fence has been erected on all four sides. The fence will remain in place until Darrow Bridge is completely rebuilt, which could be several years away. The Bridge has been deemed unsafe.

Birders meet on the east side of Darrow Bridge.

Saturday morning walks: Start at 8:00 a.m. covers a distance of two miles.  Birders walk counterclockwise around the Columbia Basin (North Lagoon) onto Wooded Island. Exiting Wooded Island at the south end, the birders walk along the soccer field and enter the south end of Bobolink Meadow. The Meadow’s path leads to the Music Bridge and back to the East Parking Lot. In late fall, winter and early spring, the birders check for birds on the lakefront and Outer Harbor near LaRabida Hospital, and the Inner Harbor.

Metered parking is available in the East Parking Lot that is accessible from South Lake Shore Drive. There is a Stop Light at Science Drive. This Stop Light is approximately 200 yards south of the major intersection with signs for Museum of Science and Industry. Make a turn at the 57th Street and Science Drive Stop Light towards the Museum. Turn Left (south) at the intersection of Science Drive and Columbia Drive. Go through the parking lot to the west end.

Birders meet in the southwest corner of the East Parking Lot. (The Museum labels it the South Parking Lot.)

Parking and Lots: The East (South) Parking Lot is preferred. There is also unmetered parking along Stony Island Avenue from 56th to 59th Street.

Best of Birding to All,                    

Patricia Durkin

Submitted by Jennie Strable on Mon, 05/14/2018 - 7:44pm

Event date:

Saturday, May 12, 2018 - 8:00am 

Location:

-

Hello to All,

What a wonderful spring morning for birding! The weather was not the most pleasant for us humans, but bad weather means good birding, and there were so many birds that we didn’t know where to look next. We had warblers, thrushes, grosbeaks and more.

BIRDERS: Eric, Karin, Marian, Liz, Catherine, David, Naomi, 2 of David and Naomi’s friends from Michigan, and new birder Jeremy. I have probably forgotten someone – my apologies – I didn’t write down names and I have a terrible memory.    

TIME:   8:00am to noon        

WEATHER: temperatures in the 40s, rain and first, then clearing 

X = commonly seen and/or not counted. Many thanks to Eric for compiling a list.

6 Canada Goose

7 Wood Duck

X Mallard

1 Hooded Merganser -- Male

X Double-crested Cormorant -- At least 500

2 Great Blue Heron

7 Black-crowned Night-Heron

2 hawk sp.

X Ring-billed Gull

1 Herring Gull

1 Caspian Tern

2 Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon)

5 Chimney Swift

2 Ruby-throated Hummingbird

1 Belted Kingfisher

3 Downy Woodpecker

1 Least Flycatcher

1 Empidonax sp.

3 Eastern Phoebe

1 Eastern Kingbird

1 Blue-headed Vireo

4 Warbling Vireo

1 American Crow

5 Purple Martin

2 Tree Swallow

X Barn Swallow

4 House Wren

X Blue-gray Gnatcatcher

2 Ruby-crowned Kinglet

1 Veery

2 Swainson's Thrush

X American Robin

X Gray Catbird

3 Northern Waterthrush

1 Blue-winged Warbler

2 Black-and-white Warbler

3 Tennessee Warbler

1 Nashville Warbler

4 Common Yellowthroat

X American Redstart

2 Cape May Warbler

X Magnolia Warbler

1 Blackburnian Warbler

X Yellow Warbler

4 Chestnut-sided Warbler

X Palm Warbler

X Yellow-rumped Warbler

3 Black-throated Green Warbler

2 Canada Warbler

3 Wilson's Warbler

1 Clay-colored Sparrow

X White-crowned Sparrow

3 Song Sparrow

2 Northern Cardinal

10 Rose-breasted Grosbeak

1 Orchard Oriole

X Baltimore Oriole

X Red-winged Blackbird

X Brown-headed Cowbird

1 Common Grackle

X American Goldfinch

1 House Sparrow

Number of Taxa: 62

This is a group report, with many birders contributing to the list. Most of the birds were seen by at least several or all of the birders.

Corrections, additions and comments are welcome.

Recordings are not used to attract birds.

The Walks are free and open to one and all. They are held year round. Newcomers are warmly welcomed. 

Darrow Bridge: Darrow Bridge has been barricaded by the Department of Transportation. A high black iron fence has been erected on all four sides. The fence will remain in place until Darrow Bridge is completely rebuilt, which could be several years away. The Bridge has been deemed unsafe.

Saturday morning walks: Start at 8:00 a.m. covers a distance of two miles.  Birders walk counterclockwise around the Columbia Basin (North Lagoon) onto Wooded Island. Exiting Wooded Island at the south end, the birders walk along the soccer field and enter the south end of Bobolink Meadow. The Meadow’s path leads to the Music Bridge and back to the East Parking Lot. In late fall, winter and early spring, the birders check for birds on the lakefront and Outer Harbor near LaRabida Hospital, and the Inner Harbor.

Directions:  Exit Lake Shore Drive at Science Drive, which is the stoplight just south of the major 57th Drive intersection by the Museum of Science and Industry.  Turn Left (south) at the stop sign at the intersection of Science Drive and Columbia Drive. Go through the parking lot to the southwest end.  Metered parking is available and birders meet in the southwest corner of the east parking lot.

Good birding everyone,

Jennie

Submitted by Jennie Strable on Fri, 05/11/2018 - 7:38pm

Event date:

Saturday, May 5, 2018 - 8:00am 

Location:

-

Hello to All,

It was a very nice morning, weather wise, for the annual Illinois Spring Bird Count. Everyone seemed relaxed and enjoying their time outdoors.  There was a major migration of Blue Jays through the Park.  Other than during migration, we seldom see or hear Blue Jays along the lakefront.

BIRDERS:      18       

TIME:             7:45 a.m. to 12 noon              

PLACES:        Wooded Island, Bobolink Meadow, East and North Lagoons

DISTANCE:   Two miles

WEATHER:   Sunny. Temperatures in the 60’s to low 70’s. Mild breeze.

TOTAL SPECIES COUNT: 71 + 1 Other Taxa (one of those troublesome flycatchers)

1.      Canada Goose  26

2.      Wood Duck  3

3.      Blue-winged Teal  2     A pair were in the little waterway between Turtle Island and the islet just west of T. I.

4.      Mallard  9

5.      Red-breasted Merganser  1     Lingering bird in East Lagoon. "One is a lonely number."

6.      Pied-billed Grebe  1

7.      Double-crested Cormorant  211     A huge flock of 200 flew in close groups from SW to NE over the east parking lot. Small numbers seen during the walk.

8.      Great Blue Heron  5

9.      Green Heron  1     In flight. Landed near Darrow Bridge, East Lagoon side.

10.  Black-crowned Night-Heron  1     On southern shore of Wooded Island.

11.  Cooper's Hawk  1

12.  Spotted Sandpiper  4

13.  Ring-billed Gull  7

14.  Herring Gull  1

15.  Caspian Tern  2

16.  Mourning Dove  2     Reported by E. G.

17.  Belted Kingfisher  1

18.  Downy Woodpecker  3

19.  Northern Flicker  2

20.  Peregrine Falcon  1     low flight from NE to SW over West Lagoon.

21.  Empidonax sp.  1     Reported by E. G.

22.  Eastern Phoebe  2

23.  Eastern Kingbird  2

24.  Philadelphia Vireo  1     Japanese Garden.  Seen by two observers ( K. D. & P..D.) at close eye level range.

25.  Warbling Vireo  4

26.  Blue Jay  15     Large spring migration. Otherwise, a rare sighting in Jackson Park, other than during migration periods.  Mostly silent.

27.  American Crow  8

28.  Northern Rough-winged Swallow  2

29.  Purple Martin  18     At Houses. Not all chambers are open. Male & Female.

30.  Tree Swallow  1

31.  Barn Swallow  7

32.  Black-capped Chickadee  1

33.  House Wren  1

34.  Winter Wren  1

35.  Blue-gray Gnatcatcher  4

36.  Ruby-crowned Kinglet  1

37.  Eastern Bluebird  1     Reported by  B.  Seen near center of Wooded Island.

38.  Veery  1     Spotted by J. S. Quite thrush. Faint breast markings.

39.  Swainson's Thrush  3

40.  Hermit Thrush  1

41.  American Robin  13

42.  Gray Catbird  9

43.  European Starling  7

44.  Northern Waterthrush  3

45.  Black-and-white Warbler  3

46.  Common Yellowthroat  10

47.  American Redstart  2

48.  Cerulean Warbler  1     Only one birder observed the blue warbler. (R. S.)  He was waiting for the group of birders at the SW corner of Darrow Bridge, the exact spot where this rare warbler was  first sighted three days ago, and photographed.  The group lingered near the spot but could not relocate the Cerulean Warbler.

49.  Bay-breasted Warbler  2     Japanese Garden. North side of pavilion. Seen by many birders. Identified by E. G.

50.  Blackburnian Warbler  1     Bright colored male in the canopy near the golf shack.  Seen by several birders.

51.  Yellow Warbler  8

52.  Blackpoll Warbler  1

53.  Black-throated Blue Warbler  1

54.  Palm Warbler  59

55.  Yellow-rumped Warbler  9

56.  Black-throated Green Warbler  3

57.  Chipping Sparrow  3

58.  White-crowned Sparrow  11

59.  White-throated Sparrow  6

60.  Song Sparrow  5

61.  Swamp Sparrow  1

62.  Eastern Towhee  2

63.  Scarlet Tanager  1     East parking lot trees.

64.  Northern Cardinal  3

65.  Rose-breasted Grosbeak  1

66.  Indigo Bunting  1

67.  Baltimore Oriole  4

68.  Red-winged Blackbird  6

69.  Brown-headed Cowbird  8

70.  Common Grackle  1

71.  American Goldfinch  15

1. House Sparrow  5

This is a group report, with many birders contributing to the list. Most of the birds were seen by at least several or all of the birders.

Corrections, additions and comments are welcome.

Recordings are not used to attract birds.

This report will be documented on eBird as a group report for the Wooded Island Bird Walks.

The Walks are free and open to one and all. They are held year round. Newcomers are warmly welcomed. 

Darrow Bridge: Darrow Bridge has been barricaded by the Department of Transportation. A high black metal iron fence has been erected on all four sides. The fence will remain in place until Darrow Bridge is completely rebuilt, which could be several years away. The Bridge has been deemed unsafe. Birders meet on the east side of Darrow Bridge.

Saturday morning walks: Start at 8:00 a.m. covers a distance of two miles.  Birders walk counterclockwise around the Columbia Basin (North Lagoon) onto Wooded Island. Exiting Wooded Island at the south end, the birders walk along the soccer field and enter the south end of Bobolink Meadow. The Meadow’s path leads to the Music Bridge and back to the East Parking Lot. In late fall, winter and early spring, the birders check for birds on the lakefront and Outer Harbor near LaRabida Hospital, and the Inner Harbor.

Metered parking is available in the East Parking Lot that is accessible from South Lake Shore Drive. There is a Stop Light at Science Drive. This Stop Light is approximately 200 yards south of the major intersection with signs for Museum of Science and Industry. Make a turn at the 57th Street and Science Drive Stop Light towards the Museum. Turn Left (south) at the intersection of Science Drive and Columbia Drive. Go through the parking lot to the west end.

Birders meet in the southwest corner of the East Parking Lot.

Parking and Lots: While restoration is ongoing, heavy equipment has taken over half of the east parking lot, off of South Lake Shore Drive, and half of the southwest parking lot which has an entrance off of Hayes Drive (63rd St.) and just east of Cornell Drive. Birders will be able to find metered parking in both lots. The East Parking Lot is preferred. There is also unmetered parking along Stony Island Avenue from 56th to 59th Street.

Best of Birding to All,                    

Patricia Durkin

Submitted by Jennie Strable on Sat, 04/28/2018 - 4:45pm

Event date:

Saturday, April 28, 2018 - 8:00am 

Location:

-

Hello to All,

Spring must be here because the Purple Martins returned this morning!  We didn’t see any at 8:00am when we began our walk but by the time we got back to the parking lot area they had arrived.  In addition, the number of Rough-winged and Barn swallows increased later in the morning as there seemed to be twice as many at 10:00am as there were at 8:00am as Renate, Karin and I walked home via the pathway behind the museum.

We also had at least a dozen flocks of Double-crested Cormorants fly over the Island on their way north – that was fun to watch.

We had a beautiful Hooded Merganser in the Columbia Basin who was following a female Mallard around, looking lovesick. Poor guy is apparently a bit confused.

The most exciting event of the morning occurred as we were leaving to go home. A few of us spotted a Turkey Vulture swooping in over the Columbia Basin. It’s fairly unusual to have a vulture in the park, and the fact that it was flying in so low was pretty unusual too. But, we then saw the Cooper’s Hawk that was in hot pursuit of the vulture. The hawk chased the vulture south, around trees, up, down and then back across the Columbia Basin after which we lost sight of them. It was a spectacular aerial display! Unfortunately, not all members of our group saw it since many had left the area by that time. I think the hawk made its opinion of the vulture very clear so I doubt if the vulture will visit us again.

BIRDERS:  Eric, Sandy, Steve, Bruce, John, Sean, Erin, Kirsten, Jennie, Karin D., David, Catherine, Renate, plus Doug and Copper.   

TIME:    8:00am to 10:00am             

WEATHER:  Sunny, but chilly. Temperatures in the low 40s with a brisk wind.

Many thanks to Eric for sharing his e-bird report:             

X = commonly seen and/or not counted.

Jackson Park, Chicago--Wooded Island/Bobolink Meadow area

Apr 28, 2018

8:03 AM

Traveling

1.50 miles

110 Minutes

All birds reported? Yes

Comments: Adult deer in lawn bowling area

X Canada Goose

5 Wood Duck

5 Blue-winged Teal

X Mallard

1 Hooded Merganser -- Male, courting a female Mallard

2 Red-breasted Merganser

2 Pied-billed Grebe

1 Horned Grebe

156 Double-crested Cormorant

2 Great Blue Heron

14 Black-crowned Night-Heron

1 hawk sp.

1 American Coot

1 Killdeer

X Ring-billed Gull

3 Herring Gull

2 Caspian Tern

1 Yellow-bellied Sapsucker

5 Northern Flicker

2 American Crow

11 Northern Rough-winged Swallow

4 Purple Martin

6 Barn Swallow -- Probably an undercount

4 Brown Creeper

1 Golden-crowned Kinglet

5 Ruby-crowned Kinglet

X kinglet sp.

12 American Robin

4 European Starling

1 Palm Warbler

1 Yellow-rumped Warbler

2 Song Sparrow

1 Swamp Sparrow

3 Northern Cardinal

1 Eastern Meadowlark

5 Red-winged Blackbird

4 Brown-headed Cowbird

5 American Goldfinch

7 House Sparrow

Number of Taxa: 39

This is a group report, with many birders contributing to the list. Most of the birds were seen by at least several or all of the birders.

Corrections, additions and comments are welcome.

Recordings are not used to attract birds.

This report will be recorded on eBird as a group report for the Wooded Island Bird Walks.

The Walks are free and open to one and all. They are held year round. Newcomers are warmly welcomed. 

Darrow Bridge: Darrow Bridge has been barricaded by the Department of Transportation. A high black iron fence has been erected on all four sides. The fence will remain in place until Darrow Bridge is completely rebuilt, which could be several years away. The Bridge has been deemed unsafe.

Saturday morning walks: Start at 8:00 a.m. covers a distance of two miles.  Birders walk counterclockwise around the Columbia Basin (North Lagoon) onto Wooded Island. Exiting Wooded Island at the south end, the birders walk along the soccer field and enter the south end of Bobolink Meadow. The Meadow’s path leads to the Music Bridge and back to the East Parking Lot. In late fall, winter and early spring, the birders check for birds on the lakefront and Outer Harbor near LaRabida Hospital, and the Inner Harbor.

Directions:  Exit Lake Shore Drive at Science Drive, which is the stoplight just south of the major 57th Drive intersection by the Museum of Science and Industry.  Turn Left (south) at the stop sign at the intersection of Science Drive and Columbia Drive. Go through the parking lot to the southwest end.  Metered parking is available and birders meet in the southwest corner of the east parking lot.

Best of Birding to All,      

Jennie

Submitted by Jennie Strable on Sat, 04/28/2018 - 4:43pm

Event date:

Saturday, April 21, 2018 - 8:00am 

Location:

-

Hello everyone,

It must be Spring -- we had a wonderfully large group of birders join us for today's walk, including three regulars who we haven't seen since the fall (welcome back Bruce, Renate and Tracy!).

It was a walk that illustrated the happy and sad aspects of the natural world, reminds me of the challenges that our birds face each day, and increases my admiration of their strength and endurance.

The sad stuff:

We found a dead and decapitated red-breasted merganser next to the Columbia basin. One of our local predators must have killed it and then something must have scared it off because it didn't finish the meal.

Karin D alerted us to a Canada Goose that tried to go under a wrought-iron fence behind the museum and was stuck, and her mate was pacing back and forth looking concerned. She couldn't back out because a clump of feathers was caught on the fence posts on both sides of her body. Karin, Eric and I freed her from under the fence, but she was obviously very weak and had an injury around her shoulder area. Her wings seemed to be fine, however. Renate saw her on Sunday morning and she was sitting in a corner of the grassy area where we left her, so perhaps with some rest she'll be OK.

Paul Clyne reported three Common Loons in the west lagoon on Friday and when we arrived on Saturday there was one remaining, but unfortunately it didn't look healthy. It was swimming too high in the water, the feathers didn't look quite right, and it didn't dive during the twenty minutes or so that I was watching it. Perhaps it too just needed a bit of rest after a long migration.

The happy stuff:

Spring migration has begun! We saw Eastern Phoebes, Kinglets (both types), Yellow-rumped Warblers, Blue-winged teal, Black-crowned Night Herons and many other beautiful birds in their breeding plumage. It's so nice to see them all again after a long, cold winter.

Birders: 20! Marian, Bruce, Tracy, Eric, Gary, Raman, Catherine, David, Renate, Jennie, Karin D, new birder Ann, and 8 more people whose names I can't remember - my apologies. I didn't expect to have so many new people on a chilly April morning so I didn't bring a pen and paper. Unfortunately, all the new folks had to leave early but I hope they'll join us again.

Weather: cloudy, low 40s, but dry with little to no wind.

Many thanks to Eric for sharing his eBird list with us:

Jackson Park, Chicago--Wooded Island/Bobolink Meadow area
Apr 21, 2018
8:03 AM
Traveling
1.50 miles
159 Minutes
All birds reported? Yes

X Canada Goose
5 Wood Duck
11 Blue-winged Teal
X Mallard
X Red-breasted Merganser
1 Common Loon
1 Pied-billed Grebe
28 Double-crested Cormorant
5 Black-crowned Night-Heron
3 Cooper's Hawk
2 American Coot
X Ring-billed Gull
2 Herring Gull
1 Caspian Tern
1 Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon)
2 Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
5 Downy Woodpecker
5 Northern Flicker
1 woodpecker sp.
7 Eastern Phoebe
7 American Crow
2 Northern Rough-winged Swallow
1 Barn Swallow
6 Brown Creeper
5 Golden-crowned Kinglet
8 Ruby-crowned Kinglet
3 kinglet sp.
8 Hermit Thrush
18 American Robin
8 European Starling
1 Palm Warbler
2 Yellow-rumped Warbler
3 Dark-eyed Junco
1 White-crowned Sparrow
6 Song Sparrow
1 Swamp Sparrow
2 sparrow sp.
4 Northern Cardinal
12 Red-winged Blackbird
5 Brown-headed Cowbird
4 American Goldfinch
4 House Sparrow
20 passerine sp. -- Flock flying south

Number of Taxa: 43

Good birding to all,

Jennie

Submitted by Jennie Strable on Mon, 04/16/2018 - 12:34pm

Event date:

Saturday, April 14, 2018 - 8:00am 

Location:

-

Bad weather = good birding.  I’ve often thought that we birders say this to convince ourselves that we’re not really that crazy for going out in terrible weather. But, on this December-like day in April, it was true!  Three foolish hardy birders braved the elements and were rewarded for our efforts with some nice sightings. Between the raindrops on our binoculars and on our eyeglasses (Marian and me) I’m sure we missed some birds just because we couldn’t see.

Birders: Marian, Gary and Jennie

Time: 8:00am to 9:30am

Places: Wooded Island, Bobolink Meadow

Weather: Dreadful. Drizzle turning to rain, mid-30s, windy

Birds:

Scaup sp.

Blue-winged teal

Ruddy duck (one pair)

Red-breasted Merganser

Goldeneye

Wood Duck

Bufflehead

Mallard

American Coot

Pied-billed Grebe (at least 7)

Great Blue Heron

Yellow-bellied sapsucker (4-5)

Downy Woodpecker

Brown Creeper (7-8)

Yellow-rumped Warbler (6+, probably more)

Dark-eyed Junco (several large flocks flying about)

Hermit Thrush

Kinglet – both golden and ruby-crowned

Song Sparrow

Eastern Phoebe (at least 7-8, probably more)

American Robin

American Crow

Flyover gulls

Cooper’s Hawk (flew in as I was leaving the park)

Good birding to all,

Jennie

Submitted by Jennie Strable on Sat, 03/10/2018 - 6:19pm

Event date:

Saturday, March 10, 2018 - 8:00am 

Location:

-

 Hello everyone,

It was a beautiful late winter morning with bright sunny skies, little wind, but unfortunately, not very many birds. We certainly enjoyed the birds we had, however, with the added surprise of a chipmunk sighting.

BIRDERS: Gary, Marion, Eric, David, Naomi, Catherine, Karin D, Jennie and a warm welcome to a new birder, Shawn.   

TIME:   8:00am to 10:00am          

PLACES: Wooded Island, Bobolink Meadow, Outer and Inner Harbor          

WEATHER:  Bright sunny skies, but chilly – in the 30s.          

X = commonly seen and/or not counted.

Many thanks to Eric for sharing his e-bird list:

Jackson Park, Chicago--Wooded Island/Bobolink Meadow area

Mar 10, 2018

Comments: 1 Chipmunk

X Canada Goose

1 Mallard

3 Common Goldeneye

2 Hooded Merganser

76 Red-breasted Merganser

2 Ring-billed Gull

2 Herring Gull

3 Downy Woodpecker

1 Hairy Woodpecker

1 Northern Flicker

10 American Crow

3 Black-capped Chickadee

11 American Robin

4 Northern Cardinal

3 Red-winged Blackbird

2 House Sparrow

3 passerine sp.

Number of Taxa: 17

In the harbors we added a Coot, larger numbers of Goldeneye, and a few Redheads to the list.

This is a group report, with many birders contributing to the list. Most of the birds were seen by at least several or all of the birders.

Corrections, additions and comments are welcome.

Recordings are not used to attract birds.

The Walks are free and open to one and all. They are held year round. Newcomers are warmly welcomed. 

Darrow Bridge: Darrow Bridge has been barricaded by the Department of Transportation. A high black iron fence has been erected on all four sides. The fence will remain in place until Darrow Bridge is completely rebuilt, which could be several years away. The Bridge has been deemed unsafe.

Saturday morning walks: Start at 8:00 a.m. covers a distance of two miles.  Birders walk counterclockwise around the Columbia Basin (North Lagoon) onto Wooded Island. Exiting Wooded Island at the south end, the birders walk along the soccer field and enter the south end of Bobolink Meadow. The Meadow’s path leads to the Music Bridge and back to the East Parking Lot. In late fall, winter and early spring, the birders check for birds on the lakefront and Outer Harbor near LaRabida Hospital, and the Inner Harbor.

Directions:  Exit Lake Shore Drive at Science Drive, which is the stoplight just south of the major 57th Drive intersection by the Museum of Science and Industry.  Turn Left (south) at the stop sign at the intersection of Science Drive and Columbia Drive. Go through the parking lot to the southwest end.  Metered parking is available and birders meet in the southwest corner of the east parking lot.

Good birding everyone,

Jennie

Submitted by Jennie Strable on Sun, 02/25/2018 - 6:17pm

Event date:

Saturday, February 24, 2018 - 8:00am 

Location:

-

 Hello everyone,

It was a chilly morning for birding, and although we didn’t see very many birds it was still nice to be outside. The most interesting sighting of the morning was two opossums in a tree on the shoreline of the lagoon just off the parking lot. Unfortunately, one of the critters had a wound on the right side of its face, and it wasn’t moving about too much. Its companion seemed to be guarding it to keep it safe.  Poor thing – nature is not always very pretty.

The best part of the walk, for me anyway, was seeing and hearing red-winged blackbirds for the first time this season.  Hearing their call reminds me that spring will arrive soon.

BIRDERS:         Catherine, Karin D, Gary, Eric, Jennie, Raman, Doug and our favorite bird dog, Copper.

TIME:               8:00am to 10:00am

PLACES:           Wooded Island, Bobolink Meadow, Outer Harbor

WEATHER:      Cloudy, 30s, a bit breezy

The following list was compiled by Eric – many thanks for sharing.

X = commonly seen and/or not counted.

Jackson Park, Chicago--Wooded Island/Bobolink Meadow area

Feb 24, 2018

Comments: Two possum

54 Canada Goose

19 Mallard

7 Common Goldeneye

49 Red-breasted Merganser

1 American Coot

5 Ring-billed Gull

3 Herring Gull

1 Downy Woodpecker

1 Hairy Woodpecker

1 Northern Flicker

8 American Crow

1 Black-capped Chickadee

2 European Starling

2 Northern Cardinal

2 Red-winged Blackbird

Number of Taxa: 15

Jackson Park, Chicago--Inner/Outer Harbors

Feb 24, 2018

9 Canada Goose

3 Mallard

5 Redhead

X Greater/Lesser Scaup

1 Bufflehead

2 Common Goldeneye

X Red-breasted Merganser

X Ring-billed Gull

4 Herring Gull

1 gull sp. -- Very large 1st year. Greater BB?

2 American Crow

Number of Taxa: 11

This is a group report, with many birders contributing to the list. Most of the birds were seen by at least several or all of the birders.

Corrections, additions and comments are welcome.

Recordings are not used to attract birds.

This report will be recorded on eBird as a group report for the Wooded Island Bird Walks.

The Walks are free and open to one and all. They are held year round. Newcomers are warmly welcomed. 

Darrow Bridge: Darrow Bridge has been barricaded by the Department of Transportation. A high black iron fence has been erected on all four sides. The fence will remain in place until Darrow Bridge is completely rebuilt, which could be several years away. The Bridge has been deemed unsafe.

Saturday morning walks: Start at 8:00 a.m. covers a distance of two miles.  Birders walk counterclockwise around the Columbia Basin (North Lagoon) onto Wooded Island. Exiting Wooded Island at the south end, the birders walk along the soccer field and enter the south end of Bobolink Meadow. The Meadow’s path leads to the Music Bridge and back to the East Parking Lot. In late fall, winter and early spring, the birders check for birds on the lakefront and Outer Harbor near LaRabida Hospital, and the Inner Harbor.

Directions:  Exit Lake Shore Drive at Science Drive, which is the stoplight just south of the major 57th Drive intersection by the Museum of Science and Industry.  Turn Left (south) at the stop sign at the intersection of Science Drive and Columbia Drive. Go through the parking lot to the southwest end.  Metered parking is available and birders meet in the southwest corner of the east parking lot.

Good birding everyone!

Jennie

Submitted by Jennie Strable on Sun, 02/11/2018 - 1:14pm

Event date:

Saturday, February 3, 2018 - 8:00am 

Location:

-

Hello to All,

Not much in the way of bird sightings today.  A Downy Woodpecker here and there, including on Wooded Island, saved the day. 

At Wolf Lake, a wondrous female Snowy Owl parked on a peninsula of ice, on the Indiana side of State Line Road. There she was; an Arctic refugee, seeking asylum in the Land of Pence.

A Northern Harrier glided low over Lake Calumet and crossed Stony Island. 

Ramblings to follow:

This past week, an adult Red-shouldered Hawk, flew across the entrance to Wolf Lake(William Power Conservation Area). That is one gorgeous, and not too common, hawk in our area.  I posted the sighting on IBET (“Illinois Birders Exchanging Thoughts” yahoo group) immediately.  This prompted the Master of Listers, Joe L., to make a trip from the north side to the far south side, in search of the Hawk.  Joe is a major checklist birder and chaser. But the Hawk was not to be found by Joe on his visit to Wolf Lake. As a consolation prize, he did see an adult Bald Eagle on the pole at the intersection of I-94 and I-57.  I reminded Joe of the Zen of Birding: here one moment and gone the next.  No cement shoes on these winged creatures.   This led me to think about our fascination with birds, and our profound admiration for the gift of flight.

Humans have fanaticized about being able to fly like a bird since we first caught sight of these feathered creatures who could transform a thought of flight into an action.  Since ancient times, stories and images of humans, processed with the ability to fly, are known.  For me, growing up, I watched Saturday morning episodes of “Flash Gordon”.  I loved Vultan, the Prince of the bird-like Hawk men who dwelled in Sky City.  True enough, Vultan was not as smart of your average raven, but I liked his burliness, his booming voice, and acceptance of human encouragement to stand up to Ming the Merciless, and his army.

A prerequisite for a true image of an angel is to have winged appendages attached to the shoulder blades of a human figure.  And, of course, every child raised Catholic, like myself, was assigned a guardian angel at birth, to guide us away from the pitfalls that awaited us in our earthy journey. I named mine Sylvester.

With a nod to our great local birder, Dr. Randy S., Horus, of ancient Egyptian mythology, is depicted with a falcon’s head.  Then there is Icarus, the son of Daedalus, inventor of the Labyrinth, who cared not for fire starters, and winged his way too close to the sun, with tragic consequences.

My favorite winged creature, is Hermes, of Greek mythology, who wore winged sandals and helmet. Who among us would not rush out to buy a pair of those sandals and hat?  It was slender and swift Hermes, son of Zeus, who was sent of a mission by the gods, to guide Priam, the Trojan King, through the night, to Achilles’ camp, to beg for the body of his son Hector.  Now that leads to thoughts of the deep bonds of a parent to a child that I will leave for another rambling, perhaps. Even Achilles cried with Priam.

To quote an Alaskan gal who wanders in the woods, “Be outside and be happy.”

BIRDERS:      8.         (1) Laurel R., (2) Marian N., (3) David P., (4) Jennie S., (5) Eric G., (6) Catherine G., (7) Karin D., (8) Pat D. Walk on participation by Doug S and treat seeking doggie, Copper.

TIME:             8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.         

PLACES:        Wooded Island, Bobolink Meadow, Lakefront & Outer Harbor      

DISTANCE:    2.5 miles

WEATHER:    Cloudy. Temperature 26 – 29 F. Winds SSW 10 – 20 mph

TOTAL SPECIES COUNT:

1. Canada Goose – 88 +

2. American Crow – 7

3. Downy Woodpecker – 3

4. Black-capped Chickadee - 2

5. Mallard – 2

6. Common Goldeneye – 6

7. Red-breasted Merganser – 5

8. Red-tailed Hawk – 1

9. Ring-billed Gull – X

10. Herring Gull – X

11. Greater Scaup – X

This is a group report, with many birders contributing to the list. Most of the birds were seen by at least several or all of the birders.

Corrections, additions and comments are welcome.

Recordings are not used to attract birds.

This report will be documented on eBird as a group report for the Wooded Island Bird Walks.

The Walks are free and open to one and all. They are held year round.Newcomers are warmly welcomed. 

Darrow Bridge: Darrow Bridge has been barricaded by the Department of Transportation. A high black metal iron fence has been erected on all four sides. The fence will remain in place until Darrow Bridge is completely rebuilt, which could be several years away. The Bridge has been deemed unsafe.

Saturday morning walks: Start at 8:00 a.m. covers a distance of two miles.  Birders walk counterclockwise around the Columbia Basin (North Lagoon) onto Wooded Island. Exiting Wooded Island at the south end, the birders walk along the soccer field and enter the south end of Bobolink Meadow. The Meadow’s path leads to the Music Bridge and back to the East Parking Lot. In late fall, winter and early spring, the birders check for birds on the lakefront and Outer Harbor near LaRabida Hospital, and the Inner Harbor.

Metered parking is available in the East Parking Lot that is accessible from South Lake Shore Drive.There is a Stop Light at Science Drive.This Stop Light is approximately 200 yards south of the major intersection with signs for Museum of Science and Industry. Make a turn at the 57th Street and Science Drive Stop Light towards the Museum. Turn Left (south) at the intersection of Science Drive and Columbia Drive. Go through the parking lot to the west end.

Birders meet in the southwest corner of the East Parking Lot.

Parking and Lots: While restoration is ongoing, heavy equipment has taken over half of the east parking lot, off of South Lake Shore Drive, and half of the southwest parking lot which has an entrance off of Hayes Drive (63rd St.) and just east of Cornell Drive. Birders will be able to find metered parking in both lots. The East Parking Lot is preferred. There is also unmetered parking along Stony Island Avenue from 56th to 59th Street.

Best of Birding to All,                    

Patricia Durkin

Submitted by Jennie Strable on Sun, 02/11/2018 - 1:08pm

Event date:

Saturday, January 27, 2018 - 8:00am 

Location:

-

Hello to All,

The last Bird Report was in September of last year.  That does not mean that birders did not persist in participating in the weekly Walks.  They did indeed, even in the most severe weather conditions. The finds belong to those who put in the time, and effort, even is adverse conditions.

As can be expected, birds on Wooded Island were absent.  There are little food sources to be found.  The ice still covers the lagoons, but is softening.  The fencing has been removed, except for a small area near the South Bridge.  The crushed stone path across from the south end of Wooded Island is open.

Six birders drove south in search of eagles and Snowy Owls.  There were six eaglesfound in the Lake Calumet area.  Only one was an adult.

At Wolf Lake,Three Snowy Owls were sheltered from the west wind along the RR tracks, west of State Line Road. That made them Illinois countable. 

In the warm glow of the late afternoon sun, a beautiful large bespeckled female Snowy Owl was found sitting on the ground, about fifty yards behind a fence at Steelworkers’ Park (87th and the lakefront)  She was very sensitive to sound, and turned her head our way, when the car door was closed. She stayed in place for a long while; twisting and turning her head; opening and closing her yellow mustard-colored eyes. She then decided to give these human bumpkins a thrill.  She relieved herself and spread her wide wings. Off she launched into the sky and flew over our heads.  She landed on the high cement wall of the dock channel, facing the moderate west wind. The experience wiped out any regrets of not finding a bird on Wooded Island.  They will come soon. We just need to keep showing up to bird every week.

BIRDERS:      12. (1) Jennie S., (2) Randy S., (3) Eric G., (4) Mariam N., (5) Kim H., (6) Naomi P., (7) David P., (8) Katie B., (9) Catherine G., (10) Raman S., (11) Karin D., (12) Pat D.  Cameo appearances by Doug S. and the “Birders Dog”, Copper.

TIME:             8:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.         

PLACES:        Wooded Island, Bobolink Meadow, Outer & Inner Harbors

DISTANCE:    2.67 miles

WEATHER:    Cloudy at outset. Temperature 49 – 51 F., Moderate wind WSW 10 – 20 mph

TOTAL SPECIES COUNT:  20

Wooded Island, Bobolink Meadow:

Canada Goose  520
Mallard  6
Common Goldeneye  2
Red-breasted Merganser  5
Red-tailed Hawk  1
Ring-billed Gull  1
Larus sp.  1
Downy Woodpecker  1
Northern Flicker  1
American Crow  5
Black-capped Chickadee  1
European Starling  1
American Tree Sparrow  2
Northern Cardinal  1
House Sparrow  2

Outer and Inner Harbors & Lake Michigan:

Canada Goose  275     OH 101, IH 174
Mute Swan  4     IH
Mallard  9     OH 6, IH 3
Redhead  2     IH
Greater Scaup  31     OH 29, IH 2
Common Goldeneye  23     OH 4, LM 3, IH 16
Hooded Merganser  5     OH 2, IH 3
Common Merganser  1     LM
Red-breasted Merganser  17     OH 1, LM 15, IH 1
American Coot  2     IH
Ring-billed Gull  59     OH 58, IH 1
Herring Gull  29     OH 26, LM 2, IH 1
American Crow  10     OH 4, IH 6

This is a group report. Randy S. was our studious and precise compiler. Most of the birds were seen by at least several or all of the birders.

Corrections, additions and comments are welcome.

Recordings are not used to attract birds.

This report will be documented on eBird as a group report for the Wooded Island Bird Walks.

The Walks are free and open to one and all. They are held year round.Newcomers are warmly welcomed. 

Darrow Bridge: Darrow Bridge has been barricaded by the Department of Transportation. A high black metal iron fence has been erected on all four sides. The fence will remain in place until Darrow Bridge is completely rebuilt, which could be several years away. The Bridge has been deemed unsafe.

Saturday morning walks: Start at 8:00 a.m. covers a distance of two miles.  Birders walk counterclockwise around the Columbia Basin (North Lagoon) onto Wooded Island. Exiting Wooded Island at the south end, the birders walk along the soccer field and enter the south end of Bobolink Meadow. The Meadow’s path leads to the Music Bridge and back to the East Parking Lot. In late fall, winter and early spring, the birders check for birds on the lakefront and Outer Harbor near LaRabida Hospital, and the Inner Harbor.

Metered parking is available in the East Parking Lot that is accessible from South Lake Shore Drive.There is a Stop Light at Science Drive.This Stop Light is approximately 200 yards south of the major intersection with signs for Museum of Science and Industry. Make a turn at the 57th Street and Science Drive Stop Light towards the Museum. Turn Left (south) at the intersection of Science Drive and Columbia Drive. Go through the parking lot to the west end.

Birders meet in the southwest corner of the East Parking Lot.

Parking and Lots: While restoration is ongoing, heavy equipment has taken over half of the east parking lot, off of South Lake Shore Drive, and half of the southwest parking lot which has an entrance off of Hayes Drive (63rd St.) and just east of Cornell Drive. Birders will be able to find metered parking in both lots. The East Parking Lot is preferred. There is also unmetered parking along Stony Island Avenue from 56th to 59th Street.

Best of Birding to All,                    

Patricia Durkin